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THE ROYAL NAVY
A HISTORY
FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESE.VT
^
^
-vK
A History
From the Earliest Times to the Present
By
Wm. Laird Clowes
Fellow of King's College, Lottdon ; Gold Medallist U.S. Naval Institute ;
Hon. Member of the Royal United Service Institution
Assisted by
Sir Clements Markham, K.C.B., P.R.G.S.
Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N.
Mr. H. W. Wilson
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States
Thirty Photogravures
and
Hundreds of Pull Page and other
I llustrations
Maps, Charts
i:tc.
In Seven Vohtiiies
Vol. X\.
LONDON
S.v.Mrsox Low, Mar.st(i\ and CoMI'ANN
i.niiri-n
^t. DunSt.iii'S SjoiiSc, dftttcr tt.iiu, ii.C.
1 90 1
LONDON :
PRIXTtD BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED.
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME VI.
When, in June, 1899, I wrote the Introduction to Volume IV. of
this History, I announced that, at m}' u)-gent instance, the Pub-
lishers had generously agreed to allow me to extend the work from
five volumes to six. Since then much has happened. It was
permissible to hope that the remaining eighteen months of the
nineteenth century, and, in fact, the concluding years of her late
Majesty's most glorious reign, would be spent in peace ; yet scarcely
was Volume IV. in the hands of the public ere there broke out in
South Africa one of the most troublesome and tedious wars in which
the British Empire has ever been engaged ; and, not long after-
wards, it became necessary to embark upon extensive operations in
China. On both scenes of action the Navy has borne an onerous
and honourable part, and has done magnificent work which cannot
fitly be described save at some length.
Since, therefore, I am anxious to complete the History up to the
end of the nineteenth century, and, at the same time, to do such
justice as I can to the services of the Navy as well at the close as at
the beginning and middle of that eventful hundred years, I have
again induced my Publishers, Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston «fc
Co., Ltd., to agree to an extension of the plan of tlie book. It will
now consist of seven volumes, and will bring the story up to the end
of the year 1900, a date which, for practical pui-poses, is synchronous
with that of the end of the Victorian era. This arrangement has
permitted me to deal at somewhat greater length than at first I
deemed possible with all the previous operations in China, with thc^
naval side of the war with Kussia, and with many minor affairs
which well deserve to be chronicled with .some fulness.
The present volume is concerned with the war with the United
States in 181'2-1.'j, and with the development and work of the Itoyal
%1>
63778
vi INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME VL
Navy from that time onwards until the conclusion of the war with
Russia. For it are responsible Colonel Eoosevelt, now President of
the United States, Sir Clements Markham, and m,yself.
Colonel Eoosevelt, when he kindly promised to write for me the
interesting and suggestive chapter which is to-day before the reader,
was not even Vice-President. He was only President of the Board
of Police Commissioners of New York. Even when he completed
the chapter, and corrected the proof-sheets of it, he was only
Assistant-Secretary of the United States' Navy. I feel it my duty
to mention these facts in order that I may make clear to his
countrymen, should they be curious in the matter, that although
the name of the President of the United States is affixed to the
chapter, the opinions expressed in it are those, rather, of a naval
administrator who, be it remembered, when little more than a boy,
WTote what was then the best American account of the war which
he now describes again, more briefly, it is true, yet by the light
of fuller knowledge. Since the days of his service in the Navy
Department, Theodore Eoosevelt, already sportsman, big-game
hunter, zoologist, and politician, has gained eq^^al distinction as
a soldier and as a statesman. The sorrowful circumstances which
in the last few days have led him so suddenly to the Presidency
must, I fear, confine his wonderful energies to one channel only for
some time to come. I am very fortunate in having secured, at a
comparatively quiet period of his most active career, the assistance
of so brilliant, able, and busy a man.
In his book, ' The Naval War of 1812,' published when he was
but four-and-twenty, Theodore Eoosevelt dealt with the struggle
from the exclusivel}' American point of view. He has now attacked
the subject from the more purely critical side ; and I do not hesitate
to say that he has produced a piece of work which, while fair-minded
and generous to a degree, is as remarkable for its analytical insight
as for its impartial plain speaking. He indicates very clearly why
the United States beat Great Britain so frequently in the earlier
actions of the war, and why, in spite of American successes, the
Great Eepublic, with a navy as it was then constituted and
managed, could never hope for decisive victory. The lessons which
he deduces from the history of the war should be as valuable to
Britons as to his own people : and, believing as I do in the high
mission of the races concerned, I trust that both may equally profit
by my friend's clear-sighted conclusions.
INTBODUCTION TO VOLUME VI. vii
Many of the interesting American portraits which illustrate
President Eoosevelt's chapter are reproduced from originals which
have been most kindl)' lent me by Mr. Henry Carey Baird, of
Philadelphia, to whose voluntary co-operation I owe much.
Sir Clements Markham contributes the two chapters which
describe the naval voyages and discoveries of 1808-15, and 1816-56.
In the second of these chapters, the President of the Eoyal Geo-
graphical Society tells, I may remind the reader, of services quorum
parsfuit; for although, perhaps, the fact is not generally remem-
bered, Sir Clements was for eight years in the Navy, and was
himself with one of the most interesting Arctic expeditions of that
period.
For the remaining part of the volume I am alone responsible.
The active services of the Navy between the years 1816 and 1856
were, speaking generally, of a character somewhat different from
that which chiefl}^ marks the work of the fleet up to the close of the
Napoleonic wars ; but I do not know that they are less interesting,
or less usefully suggestive. In the forty years, British admirals
fought no great pitched battles with formidable foes ; and although
the period is that of Algier, Navarin, St. Jean d'Acre, and Sebastopol,
it is more especially the period of small wars with uncivilised peoples,
of steady, but nearly noiseless, extension of the Empire, and of
onerous policing of the ocean. It witnessed the practical extinction
of piracy, and of the over-sea slave trade ; and, in connection with
those subjects, there will be found in the following pages the record
of many almost forgotten deeds of heroism. It witnessed also many
scarcely-remembered exploits which were undertaken in defence of
British interests in all parts of the world, and for the protection and
advancement of British trade. The reader will perceive, perhaps
with some surprise, that although the period was, upon the whole,
one which it is customary to call a time of peace, scarcely a year of
it passed without seeing the Navy actively and gallantly engaged in
some corner of the world.
For assistance rendered to me in connection with Chapters
XLIII. and XLIV., and with the Appendices, I have gratefully to
acknowledge my indebtedness to, among others. Admiral of the
Fleet the lit. Hon. Lord John Hay, Sir J. fl. Commerell, and Sir
A. McL. Lyons; Admirals Sir E. G. Fanshawe, Sir E. Ommaimey,
Sir H. Chads, the Et. Hon. Sir J. C. D. Hay, Bart., Sir G. ().
Willes, and Henry Boys; Paymasters-in-Chief J. W. M. Ashby, and
VUl INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME VI.
R. E. A. Richards ; Fleet-Paymaster Frederick Cleeve ; and Chaplain
the Rev. A. G. Kealy, R.N. ; some of whom are now, alas, no
more. 1 have also to express my gratitude to the Navy Depart-
ment, Washington ; the Marine-Section of the K. und K. Reichs-
Kriegs-Ministerium (through the courtesy of my old friend Captain
Leopold Ritter von Jedina, of the Aust.-Hung. Navy) ; the Imperial
Russian Admiralty ; and the Ministry of Marine in Paris.
Once more I have to apologise for the delayed appearance of a
volume, and to beg both my most patient and kindly Publishers and
the public to excuse it on the ground of my continued ill-health. I
have personally undertaken the indexing of the previous five volumes.
To my regret, I have been obliged to entrust the laborious task of
indexing the present volume to another hand ; but I have been
fortunate in securing for the work the services of Miss E. M. Samson,
to whom my thanks are due for the manner in which she has carried
out what I know to be a most difficult undertaking.
Aval du Credx, Sahk.
Sept. 15, 1901.
ADDENDUM.
The folloiving paragraj)h, ichich should have preceded the jmragraph,
on p. -in, hcguvnncj " The year 1837," was accidentalhj omitted
when the copy was sent to tJie printers : —
In spite of the operations of Chads, the Malays continued to
give trouble to the Indian Government, whose province it then was
to superintend relations with the tribes of the Archipelago ; and,
early in 1837, Captain Robert Contart M'Crea, of the Zebra, 16,
was ordered, in consequence of representations from Calcutta, to
capture a contumacious Malay chief, the ex-rajah of Quedah, who
had taken refuge at Bruas, on the coast of Perak, and to convey him
as prisoner to Penang. M'Crea executed the service in the month
of April, but not without difficulty. His boats, which he led in
person, had to approach the chief's hiding-place along a narrow and
tortuous stream, both sides of which were fringed with dense jungle,
and then to sustain a sharp action for an hour and a half with a
brig, and with a strong and well-manned stockade. The aft'air cost
heavy loss to the attackers, and still heavier to the defenders, but
was so ably carried out that the East India Company subsequently
presented M'Crea with a piece of plate in token of its satisfaction.
CONTENTS
VOLUME VI.
CHAPTER XLl.
I'AdE
The V\'.\r with iiif. Untied States, 1812-1S15 .... 1
Colonel Theodore Boonevelt, President nf the United Stntex.
CHAPTER XLII.
VOVAOKS AND DISCOVER IKS, 1803-1815 181
Sir Clements B. Marl-lunn, K.C.B., President of the Boi/al
Geographicctl Surh'tj/.
CHAPTER XLIII.
Civil History of the Royal Navy, 1816-18">0 .... 184
TT'. Laird Cloires.
CHAl'TEJ; XLIV.
iMiLiTAHY History of the Royal Navy, 1S16-1850 . 222
W. Laird Chnrrs.
Appen'di.x to Chapter XLIV. :
Lisi OF Il.iM. Ships Wheckeh, Foinueiiei), I'.ihnt, Takkn,
(in I)i:.stiuivi;i), IMi;-18.5G >'')04
Xll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLV.
Voyages axd Discoveries, 1816-1856. . . . 507
Sir Clements B. Marlcham, K.C.B.
Appendix to Chapters XLIII.-XLV. :
List of Flag-Officers Promoted prom the close of the War
IN 1815 TO the End of 1856 (Active List only) . . 538
INDEX 55)
i
LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS.
VOLUME ri.
PHOTOGRAVURE PLATES.
The Battle of Navarin ...... Frontispiece
Sir David Milne, G.C.B., Admiral .... Facing p. 224
Defeat of the Squadron op Dom Miguel by Napier „ 2G4
The Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, G.C.B., G.O.M.G.,
Admiral ........ „ 322
Sir Charles Napier (2), K.C.B., Admiral. . „ 417
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.
Scene of the Principal Naval OPER.vriONS on the
Coast of North America, 1812-15 . . . Faciixj p. 2
The Capture of the U.S.S. "Chesapeake" bv H.M.S.
" Shannon," June 1st, 1813 .... „ 80
Capture of the U.S. Brig " Argus " by H.M. Sloop
"Pelican," Aug. 14th, 1813 .... „ 86
Bombardment of Aloier, Avv.. 27th, 181G. . . ,, 228
Map of Burmah ....... „ 238
The Mouth of the Canton River .... ., 2S7
The " Duke of Wellington," 131, fitting out at
port.smouth, 1854 ...... ,, 412
Scene op the Operations in the Baltic Sea, 1854-55 „ 415
The Operations in the Sea of Azov, l!S5."i . „ 454
XIV
ILLUSTRATIONS.
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT.
Douglas's Double (Reversible) Flint Lock, for guns or mortars,
c«. 1818
Admiral the Hon. Sir George Ceanfield Berkeley, G.C.B.
Rear-Admiral Sir Salusbury Pryce Davenport (previously
Humphreys), Kt., C.B., K.C.H
American Commemoration Medal of the Capture op the
"Guerriere" in 1812
American Commemoration Medal, by Spencer, op the capture
OF the "Frolic," in 1812 ......
Captain Stephen Decatur, Jun., U.S.N. ....
Captain William Bainbridge, U.S.N. ....
Captain James Lawrence, U.S.N. .....
Rear-Admiral Sir Philip Bowes Verb Broke, Bart., K.C.B.
Provo William P.aery Wallis, .et. 22 ... .
Signature of Sir Provo AVilliam Parry Wallis, G.C.B., Admiral
OF the Fleet ........
Commander Samuel Blyth, R.N. .....
Admiral the Hon. Sir Alexander Forester Inglis Cochrane,
G.C.B
Captain David Porter, U.S.N. ......
Captain Isaac Chauncey, U.S.N. .....
American Medal Commemor.ative of the Battle of Lake Erie
1813
Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, U.S.N
Captain Thomas Macdonough, U.S.N
Captain Joshua Barney, U.S.N
Sir James Alexander Gordon (1), G.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet
Captain Lewis AVarrington, U.S.N. .
Captain Johnston Blakely, U.S.N.
Captain Charles Stewart, U.S.N.
Captain James Biddle, U.S.N
Badge of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Military
Classes) ••....
Star op a G.C.B. ....
Circular Stern of H.M.S. "Asia," 84, built .at Bomb.ay, 1824
2
17
19
35
39
42
49
75
77
83
83
90
99
101
111
118
121
131
143
145
160
162
169
174
181
184
192
ILLUSTRATIONS.
xv
H.M.S. " Rethibction," 10 guns, 1641 tons (B.M.), 400 H.P. Nom
H.M.S. "Terrible," 20 gdns, 1847 tons (B.M.), 800 H.P. Nom.
Screw versus Paddle. .....
Fl.\g Officers' and Captains' Gold Medal, 1794-181
Naval War Service Medal, 1793-1815
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
The Victoria Cross ......
Star of a K.C.B. ......
Medal Co5i.memorative of the Bo>ibard.ment op Algier, 1816
Admiral Sir Robert "Waller Otway (1), Bart., G.C.B.
Plan op the Bay of Navarin, Oct. 20th, 1827 .
Detailed Plans of the Battle of Navarin . . .2
Commemorative Medal of the Battle op Navarin
H.R.H. Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarknck, Admiral op
THE Fleet, I,ord High Ad.miral. ....
Admiral Sir Henry Ducie Chads, G.C.B. ....
The China Medal, 1840-42
Bombardment of St. Jean d'Acre, November 3rd, 1840
Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, G.C.B,
D.C.L ...
The Battle of Obligado, 1845 ......
Admiral Sir James Whitley Deans Dundas, G.C.B. .
Vice-Admiral Edmund, Lord Lyons, Bart., G.C.B., D.C.L. .
Signature of Admiral the Rt. Hon. Sir Astley Cooper Key
G.C.B., F.R.S
Bomarsund, 1854 .......
Bombard.ment op Seuastopol puo.m the Sea, 17tii Oct., 1854
Captain Sir William Peel, K.C.B., V.C. ....
Sir William Nathan Wrighte Hewett, K.C.B., V.C, Vice
Admiral .........
Captain Edmund Moubray Lyons .....
Rear-Ad.miral the Hon. Richard Saunders Dundas, C.B. .
Cronstadt, 1855 ........
Sweaborg, 1855 : Plan op Attack .....
Admiral the Rt. Hon. Sir Astley Cooper Key, Ci.C.B., F.H.S.
Signature op Sir John Edmund Commerell, V.C, G.C.B., Admiua
OF THE Fleet ........
The Baltic Medal ........
194
195
197
213
214
215
221
223
230
2.50
255
259
261
271
274
303
320
324
340
405
408
414
423
441
445
447
157
477
483
492
495
503
506
XVI
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Arctic Medal ..........
Sketch Map Illustrating Arctic Discovery in the Nineteenth
Century ..........
Rear-Admiral Sir William Edward Parry, Kt., D.C.L., F.R.S. .
Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K.C.B., D.C.L., F.R.S. ,
Hydrographer 18:29-1855 .......
Rear-Admiral Sir James Clark Ross, Kt., D.C.L., F.R.S. .
Captain Sir John Franklin, Kt., D.C.L., F.R.S.
Signature of Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, G.C.B.
Signature op Sir William James Lloyd Wharton, K.C.B., F.R.S.,
Retired Rear-Admiral .......
PAGE
507
509
512
515
525
528
536
537
I
NAVAL HISTOEY.
CHAPTEE XLI.
the war with the tnited states, 1812-15.
Theodoke Koosevelt,
Vice-President of the United States of America.
Outbreak of the War: Causes of hostility — American unpreparedneBS — Jeft'erson's
peace policy — In-itation engendered by facilities for naturalisation — The Milan and
Berlin decrees, and the Orders in Council — Hardships brought about bj' the edicts —
Cleveland's experiences — Basil Hall's testimony — British seamen in the American
marine — American seamen pressed by the British — Berkeley's order — Affair of the
Leopard and the Chesajjeake — Jelferson's "connnercial war" — Napoleon's du]>licity
— British blockade of the American coasts — Affair of the President and the Little
Belt — Declaration of war — Indifference of the Amei'ican people — British over-
confidence — Efficiency of the I'nited States navy — Ships of the United States —
'J'onnage and armament — Superiority of the American frigate — ^The American
personnel — British seamen in the American navy — Poorness of British gunnery.
The Early Americax Vi'jtories : The /'resident and the Belvidera — The Essex
and the Alert — The Constitution and the Ouerriire — The Wasp and the Frolic
— 'J'he L'nited States and the Macedonian — The Constitution and the Java — The
Hornet and the Peacock — American privateers — Effects of commerce-destroying —
British discouragement— Admiralty precautions — Jurien de La Graviere on the
war. The Turn ok the Tide: The American coast blockaded — Effect of the
blockade — Raids on the coast — Retaliation b}' the privateers — Failure of expecta-
tions ou both sides- — Fleets the true commerce-destroyers — The Shannon and the
Chesapeake — The ]io\ver of good oi'ganisation — The Pelican and the Art/us — The
Enterprise and the Boxer — Failure of the attack on Norfolk — Outrages at Ham|iton
— Inailequacy of the American gunboats — The Juiion in Delaware Bay — Attack
on the Asp — Capture of the Surveyor — Affair in the Stone River — Capture of the
Ljottery — Polkinghorne and the privateers — Cochrane succeeds Warren — -Cruise
of the Essex — The l^hofle and Cherub, and the Essex and Essex Junior. The
W ARrAHE ON the Lakes : The forces opposed — Lake Ontario — Defence of Sackott's
Harbour — Capture of the Julia and (Jrowler — Chauncey and Yeo — The affair at
Big Sandy Creek —A contest of shipbuilding — Lake Erie — Cutting out of the
Caledonia — Barclay and I'erry — Battle of Lake Erie — American rci)u]Bo at
Macinaw — Capture of the Tigress and Scorpion — Cutting out affair at Port Erie —
Lake Chani]ilain — Capture of the Growler — Macdonougli and Downie — Battle of
Piattsburg Harbour. The Bi,o(kai>e ANn the CitiisKiis : Destruction of Barney's
gunboats — C'apt\n'e of Washington — Gordon at Alexandria — l!c|ndse at Baltimore
— Lockyer in Lake Borgne — Repulse at J''ort Bowyer — The case of the Erebus —
Increase of American privateering — The Chasieur, of Baltimore— British iiidigna-
vor,. VI. fl
?>
THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15.
[1812.
tion— Capture of the St. Lawrence— "X^ie General Armstrong— The Prince de
Neu/chufeJ—Cai-,t.ure of the Frolic— The Peacock and the Epervier— The Wasp
and the Reindeer— The Wasp and the Afon—Loss of the TTns^j— The Endymion
and the President — Capture of the Levant and CyoHf— Escape of the Constitution
— The Eornet and the Penguin— 'Esica\^e of the Eornet— The Peacock and the
iVa?t<(7its— End of tlie war— Novel weapons in tlie American navy— A drawn
quarrel.
is often difficult to
F
-?5ss4'-^'p'
Douglas's dox.t)le (reversible) flint lock,
for guss or mortars, ca. 1818.
(From Cli. Dtipiit.)
realise that, in a
clash between two peo-
ples, not onh' may each
side deem itself right,
but each side may really
be right from its own
standpoint. A healthy
and vigorous nation
must obey the law of
self-preservation. When
it is engaged in a life
and death gi'apple with
a powerful foe, it can-
not too closely scan the
damage it is incidentally forced to do neutral nations. On the
other hand, it is just as Uttle to be expected that one of these
neutral nations, when wronged, will refrain from retaUatiou merely
because the injuries are inflicted by the aggressor as a regi-ettable,
but necessary, incident of a conflict with some one else.
This holds true of the bickering war between Britain and
America which closed the gigantic Napoleonic struggles. During
nearly a quarter of a centmy of tremendous warfare, Britain and
France stood as opposing champions in a struggle which dwarfed
all previous contests and convulsed the entire civilised world. As
has been seen, every other nation of Eui-ope was at one time or
another drawn into this struggle, and almost every other nation
sided now with one, and now with the other, of the gi-eat central
pair of combatants. Russia and Spain, Austria and Prussia, Holland
and Turkey, appeared, now as the subservient allies, now as the
bitter enemies, of Eepubhcan and Imperial France. The Island
Monarchy alone never wavered, and never faltered. In the count-
less shifting coalitions framed against France, there was alwaj^s one
unshifting figure, that of Britain. Kaiser and King, Tsar and
IK
IK
Scene of the Principal Naval Operations
ON THE Coast or North America. t8/2-f5.
9 ,fl >.o Sf, V 5.0 , 'V°
ITofaet pagt 2.
I
I
1812.] CAUSES OF HOSTILITY. 3
Cortes, might make war, or sue for peace ; but, save for one brief
truce, the people of Britain never for a moment relaxed that
deadly strain of hostility which at last wore out even Napoleon's
giant strength.
It was a life and death struggle ; and to win, Britain had to
spend her gold, her ships, and her men like water. Where she was
thus lavish of her own wealth and her own blood, it was not to be
expected that she would pay over-scrupulous heed to the exact
rights of others, above all if these rights were exercised seriously
to her owia disadvantage. While the fight stamped to and fro,
the combatants were far too busy with one another to care whether
or not they trampled on outsiders. In the grim, relentless, long-
drawn warfare, neither side had anj- intention of throwing away
a chance by quixotic over-regard for the rights of others ; and both
sides were at times seriously to blame for disregarding these rights
on occasions when to regard them would not have been quixotic at
all, but an evidence of soimd common-sense.
The scarlet-clad armies of Britain played a great part in the
closing j-ears of the struggle, and developed as their leader the chief
of all the generals who fought under or against Napoleon. Never-
theless it was the Navy of Britain, it was the British sea power,
which threw the deciding weight into the contest. The British
Navy destroyed the fleets of France and the fleets of the Spanish,
Dutch, and Danish allies of France, and blockaded the French
ports, and the ports of all powers that were not hostile to the
French. In order to man the huge fleets with which she kept
command of the seas, England was forced to try every expedient
to gather sailors ; and in order to make her blockade effective she
had to lay a heavy hand on the ships of those neutral powers that
found their profit in breaking the blockade.
The United States of America was the only neutral power which
at once both tended to drain the British Navy of a certain number
of its seamen, and at the same time offered in her own seamen
a chance for that same Navy to make good the loss. Moreover,
it was the one neutral nation which throve apace during the years
of European warfare by trading with the hostile powers. So long
as they were not too much harassed, the American merchants and
seamen wore greatly benefited l)y tlu; war in iMU-opc. The destruc-
tion of tlie French merchantmen by the British warships, and the
constant harrying of the British merchantmen by the French
4 THE WAIt WITH THE UXITED STJTES, 1812-15. [1812.
privateers, tended to drive trade into neutral bottoms ; and America
was the only neutral nation prepared to profit greatly by this
tendency. She made the loss of England her gain. Her merchants
shipped cargoes to French ports ; and her merchant captains, as
their trade grew apace, and as they became short-handed, welcomed
eagerly all British seamen, deserters or otherwise, who might
take service under the American flag in the hope of avoiding
the press-gang and the extreme severity of British naval discipline.
The Americans were merely exercising their rights ; but naturally
their attitude exasperated not only Britain, but also France. Each
of the two main combatants was inclined to view with suspicion the
neutral who made a cold-blooded profit out of the sufferings of both.
Each took harsh, and often entirely unjustifiable, measures to protect
himself. Each in his action was guided very natm-ally by his own
interests as he saw them. It was Britain with which America
ultimately came to blows, because Britain possessed far gi'eater
power of inflicting injury ; but, according to his capacity. Napoleon
showed a much more callous disregard for American rights.
The British claimed the right to forbid vessels to sail to or from
ports which they annoi;nced as blockaded, and to search neutral
ships for contraband goods. They also acted upon the doctrine that
"once a subject, always a subject," and that their warships could
at any time take British sailors, wherever found, on the high seas.
The intense vexation and heavy loss caused by the right of search
need not be dwelt upon. The impressment of American seamen
was an even more serious business. Thousands of British sailor-
men were to be found on American vessels. Britain re-claimed
these at every opportunity ; but she did not rest content with this.
Each British war vessel regarded itself as the judge as to whether
the members of the crew of a searched vessel were British or
Americans. If the captain of such a war vessel were short-handed,
he was certain to resolve all doubts in his own favour; and, con-
sequently, thousands of impressed Americans served, sorely against
the grain, in British warships.
The whole situation was one that could not but provoke intense
irritation. There was much fraud in the natm-alisation of British
seamen as Americans ; and, on the other hand, there was much
brutal disregard of the rights of American sailors by British war-
ships. The American merchant cared nothing for the contestants,
save that he wanted to sell his goods where he could get the best
1812.] CAUSES OF nOSTILITY. 5
price ; while the British officer was determined that the American
should not render help to France. From their respective stand-
points, each nation had much to saj' in its own favour. Consistentlj'
with retaining her self-respect, America could not submit quietly
to the injuries she received. On the other hand, Britain could not
afford, because of any consideration of abstract right, to allow any
neutral nation to furnish Napoleon with another weapon. War was
almost inevitable.
At the time each people as a whole of course firmly beUeved that
its own cause was entirely righteous, and that its opponents were
without any moral justification for their acts ; though the best-
informed Englishmen, those who managed the councils of their
countr}', evidently felt at bottom an uneasy sense that their course was
not entireh' justifiable, as was shown by the too tardy repeal of the
Orders in Council. The difference in feehng caused by the diflerence
of point of view was illustrated by the attitudes of the British and
Americans towards one another in 1812 and 1862 respectively. In
1812 the bolder American merchants embarked eagerly in the career
of running cargoes into the ports of blockaded France, precisely as
half a century later the British of the stamp of Hobart Pasha
swarmed forward to command the blockade-runners which plied
between the British ports and the ports of the Southern Con-
federacy. At the earlier date the Americans resisted and the
British upheld the right of search ; fifty years later it was the
American, Wilkes, who exercised the right, while the British made
ready for instant war unless the deed should be disavowed.
It was entirely natural that Great Britain should strive in every
way possible to minimise the aid whicii America, by the exercise
of her rights as a neutral, gave to France. It was equally natural
that the more reckless and overbearing spirits among the British
naval officers, while carrying out this policy, should do deeds that
were entirely indefensible, and which could not but inllauic the
Americans to madness. No American ship was safe from confisca-
tion, no American seaman was safe from impressment, either on the
high seas, or on the American coast ; and insult and outrage
followed one another in monotonous succession.
The nation whicli submitted without war to such insults erred
on the side of tame submission, not of undue truculence. But it
must be remembered that France was all the time, according to her
capacity, behaving quite as badly as Great Britain. Her sea strength
6 THE WAll WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
had been shattered by Britain, so she could not do America
anything hke as much harm ; but no British Minister vied with
Napoleon in vicious and treacherous disregard of the rights of both
friend and foe. Nevertheless, France offered the chance of making
money, and Britain did not. Britain could do her own carrying
trade, while the carrying trade of France was largely in American
bottoms. Man}' Americans were delighted to balance against the
insults and injuries they received from the mighty combatants, the
profits which flowed into their coffers only because the combat did
not cease.
There was but one possible way by which to gain and keep the
respect of either France or Britain : that was by the possession
of power, and the readiness to use it if necessarv' ; and power in this
case meant a formidable fighting navy. Had America possessed
a fleet of twenty ships of the line, her sailors could have plied their
trade unmolested ; and the three years of war, with its loss in blood
and money, would have been avoided. From the merely monetary
standpoint such a navy would have been the cheapest kind of
insurance ; and morally its advantages would have been incalculable,
for every American worth the name would have lifted liis head
higher because of its existence. But unfortunately the nation
lacked the wisdom to see this, and it chose and re-chose for the
Presidency Thomas Jefferson, who avowed that his " passion was
peace," and whose timidity surpassed even his philanthi'opy. Both
Britain and America have produced men of the " peace at any
price" pattern; and in America, in one great crisis at least, these
men cost the nation more, in blood and wealth, than the political
leaders most recklessly indifferent to war have ever cost it. There
never was a better example of the ultimate evil caused by a timid
effort to secure peace, through the sacrifice of honour and the refusal
to make preparations for war, than that afforded by the American
people under the Presidencies of Jeflerson and Madison. The
"infinite capacity of mankind to withstand the introduction of
knowledge " is also shown by the fact that this lesson has not only
been largely wasted, but has even been misread and misinterpreted.
National vanity, and the party spirit which resolutely refuses to see
crimes committed against the nation by party heroes, are partly
responsible for this. The cultivation of a poHtical philosophy which
persistently refuses to accept facts as they are, and which in America
is no dearer to the unlettered demagogue than to the educated,
1812.] AMERICAN UNPIIEPAHEDNESS. 7
refined theorist whose knowledge of political affairs is evolved in the
seclusion of his own parlour, has also operated to prevent Americans
from learning the hitter lessons which should be taught from the
war of 1812. The wealthy man who cares only for mercantile
prosperity, and the cultivated man who forgets that nothing can
atone for the loss of the virile fighting virtues, both also forget that,
though war is an evil, an inglorious or unjustifiable peace is a worse
evil. As for England, she knows little or nothing about the war,
and so of course has been equally blind to its lessons. In one way,
however, England does not so much need to be taught these lessons,
for there are few of her politicians or publicists of any note who
fail to see the necessity of her possessing a navy more formidable
than any other navy on the face of the globe.
These men had numerous prototypes in the first decade of the
present century. The Federalists, who were crystallised into a party
under Washington, did have some appreciation of the fact that
peace is worth nothing unless it comes with sword girt on thigh.
Accordingly, in 1798 and 1799, under the spur of the quasi-war with
France and the depredations of the Moorish pirates, the Federalists
set out to build a navy. They only made a beginning. The people
behind them were too ignorant and too short-sighted to permit the
building of the great ships of the line which could alone decide
a war ; but they did build half-a-dozen frigates, which were the best
of their kind in existence. In 1801, however, the Jeffersonian
democrats came into power, and all work on the navj' stopped
forthwith. Jefferson hated and dreaded war; and he showed the
true spirit of the non-military visionary in striving to find some
patent substitute for war, or, if war could not be avoided, then
some patent substitute for the armies and fleets by which war must
be fought. Fatuously unable to learn the lesson taught by the
revolutionary contest, he hoped to find in levies of untrained militia
a substitute for a regular army. As for the navy, he at one time
actually hoped to supply its place by a preposterous .system of what
may be called horse-gunboats, that is, gunboats which could be
drawn ashore and carried on wheeled vehicles to any point menaced
by a hostile fleet. Men who get discouraged by the attitude of
latter-day politicians may draw some hope and comfort from the
reflection that the nation actually lived tbrough the experiment
of trying Jefferson's ideas. Nevertheless, the trial of this same
experiment caused l)itter loss and nini'tification.
8 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
At the present day no student of international law would justify
the attitude of Great Britain in the quarrel ; but the international
standard was different among nations at the beginning of the
nineteenth centui-y ; and, moreover, Great Britain was fighting
for her life, and nice customs curtesy to great crises as well as
to great kings.
The United States was still primarily a country of dwellers on
the sea-coast. The bulk of the population lay along the Atlantic
sea-board. There were but three states west of the Alleghanies —
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio ; and all three were still frontier
commonwealths. From Salem to Savannah the men of every sea-
port city — and as yet there were no cities of note which were not
seaports — looked upon foreign trade as the surest means to wealth
and social distinction. American shipwrights were already famous :
readers of that delightful book, ' Tom Cringle's Log,' will recall
at once the way in which Scott speaks of the swift American
schooners ; and their full-rigged ships also were among the best
of their kind on the ocean. Under the stimulus given by the
European war to their trade the merchants embarked more and
more eagerly in foreign ventures, and ships were turned out of the
yards in ever-increasing numbers. From Maine to Maryland there
was a hardy population of sailor-folk, who manned, not only the
merchantmen, but also the fishing-fleet and the whalers that went
to the North Atlantic and the South Seas. Under the abnormal
growth of the American merchant marine, however, the growth
of the sailor population was outstripped, and it became impossible
to man American ships purely with American seamen. Seamen are
roving creatures at all times, and in every country they shift readily
from one flag to another. Seafarers from various European states,
notably from Portugal and the Scandinavian countries, found their
way in numbers aboard the American ships ; but it was the sailors
of the British Islands who formed the chief resource in making up
any deficiency in the numbers of the native Americans. The needs
of Britain's gigantic Navy were very great, and every method was
resorted to in order to keep level its quota of men. Life on a
British warship was hard, and the British seamen hved in terror
of the press-gang. Readers of Marryat's novels will remember
the large part this institution played in the sea life of that period.
Wages on board the American ships were high, and the service not
particularly severe. In consequence, British seamen entered the
1S12.] BJUTIfill SEAMEN IN THE AMEIUCAN SEIiVICE. 9
American merchant marine literall)' by thousands. The easy
naturalisation laws of the country were even more easily circum-
vented. There was very little difficulty indeed in any British
seaman getting naturalisation papers as an American. The captains
of British war vessels were continually meeting in the American
ports scores of British seamen who passed them by with insolent
defiance, confident in their possession of American naturalisation
papers.
Seeing that this occurred at the very time when American trading
ships were crippling their British rivals by their competition, and
were fm-nishing supplies to Britain's dreaded and hated rival, the
anger alike of British Government officials, of British merchants,
and of British naval officers, can be readily understood. It was
sufficiently irritating to see an American ship carry to a French
port goods which the British wished to keep out of that port, and
■which, in happier circumstances, might have been in a British
bottom ; but it was still more exasperating to know that this very ship
might number among her crew a considerable proportion of British
seamen, at a time when the British fleets needed every man they
could crimp or press. Moreover, such a system of neutral trade and
of easy naturalisation put a premium upon perjury, and the British
grew to look with suspicion upon every statement of an American
merchant master, and every paper produced by an American
merchant seaman.
The French had little in the way of a grievance against the
Americans. Very few French seamen served under the American
flag, certainly not enough to be of any consequence to the French
navy. The French trade that was driven into American bottoms
would otherwise have been extinguished. On the other hand,
American merchantmen performed a real service to France when
they entered the French ports. There was one point, however, on
which the American attitude was precisely as exasperating to France
as to Britain, and for the same reason. As regards their dealings
with the insurgent negroes of Haiti and with the effort to blockade
the Haitian ports, the French stood toward the Americans just as
Britain stood toward them in regard to France. In each case the
American merchants showed, as might have been expected, the
same desire to send their cargoes to the people who wished to pay
for them, without regard to tlie rights or wrongs of any struggle
in which these people might lie engaged. The Americans sent
10 THE WAR WITH THE USITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
small fleets of merchantmen to carry goods to the negroes in Haiti,
who were engaged in a life and death fight with the French, just as
they sent far larger fleets of merchantmen to cany goods to the
French, in their deadly grapple with the British ; and the French
felt as aggrieved in the one case as the British did in the other.
But the case of Haiti was exceptional. Speaking generally, no
harm, and, on the contrary, much good, resulted to France from
the American neutral trade. Nevertheless, Napoleon adopted
toward the Americans a course quite as brutal as the British
attitude, and more treacherous. In this he was mainly actuated
by a desire to force the Americans into war with Great Britain ; but
he was swayed by various and complicated motives from time to
time— motives which it would be impossible to discuss at proper
length here. The intentions of the French people toward the
American Eexmbhc, as shown by the actions of the French Emperor,
were as bad as could be.
The poHcy of the two nations towards America was promulgated
in a series of edicts — those of Napoleon taking the fomi of Decrees
dated at Milan, Berlin, and elsewhere ; and those of the advisers
of King George appearing as Orders in Council. At different
times widely different interpretations were put upon every decree
and order, according to the strenuousness of the American protest,
and the degree of exasperation of Britain or France. Napoleon
in particular, whenever it suited him, intei-preted his own decrees
in a sense directly opposite to their palpable purport ; or, if there
was a momentary gain in view, simply denied that he had ever
issued them. In Britain the followers of Fox were supposed to
be more friendly to America than the followers of Pitt. In theory
they were; but in practice the attitudes of the two parties were
not materially different. The essential features of the Orders in
Council were, that they prohibited American ships from trading with
France, unless the}' first cleared from some British port ; and they
declared the coast of most of continental Europe to be blockaded,
and provided for the seizure of American vessels boitnd tliither.
They also imposed similar restrictions upon the very lucrative trade
of America with the West Indian Islands. Napoleon's decrees, on
the other hand, provided that any American vessel which touched
at a British port, or submitted to search by a British cruiser, should
be treated as hostile, and be confiscated accordingly. Each nation
asserted its right to claim its own seamen, as a matter of course.
1812.] THE IMPBESSMENT OF SEAM EX. 11
These two series of edicts, if fully caniod out, meant the absolute
annihilation of the American merchant marine so far as foreign
commerce was concerned, for almost every country in the world
was engaged on one side or the other in the Napoleonic struggles.
In point of intent, the action of the French was a little the worse ;
and some of Napoleon's seizures of American vessels in European
ports were marked by a bad faith which made them peculiarly
repulsive. The attitude of each nation amply wan-anted America
in declaring war on both. This was the course which was actually
proposed in Congress, and which should have been followed. But
it was perhaps too much to expect that the struggHng transatlantic
republic, which, in point of regular navy and army, hardly ranked
as a fifth-class power, should at the same time throw down the
glove to the two greatest empires of the world. Moreover, the
Americans very naturally cared much less what the French and
British meant to do, than what they actually did ; and when it
came to doing, the British were vastly better fitted than the French
to carry out their threats.
French privateers and cruisers occasionally mishandled an
American vessel, and both ships and cargoes were confiscated when
in French ports, sometimes even on a large scale ; but it was not
for the self-interest of the French to molest ovenxiuch the only
neutrals who could Ining tliem the goods of which they stood in
need ; and there was practically no trouble about the French im-
pressing seamen from American ships, because there were very
few Frenchmen in these ships, and those few coiild not hope to
disguise their nationality. The American seaman was inclined to
look down upon the French, but he had not nnich cause either
to fear or hate them.
With the British, all this was different. In the first place, the
Englishman cordially disliked the American, because the American
was feeding his foes, and was robbing him both of his men and of
his trade. The fraudulent naturalisation of British seamen was
carried on openly in most American ports ; and the American flag
was used to protect, not merely American skippers engaged in carry-
ing goods, which the Britisli said should not be carried, to I"' ranee,
but also not a few Frenchmen and Spaniards, and a larger nund)er
III' recreant Britons, who wished to share the profits of the imsi-
ness. The British ships of war were chronically undermanned,
and every connnander had good reason to belie\i' that almost all
12 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
American merchant vessels contained some British seamen to whose
service he felt he was lawfully entitled. It was an article of faith
with him, as with his country, that he had a right to take these
seamen wherever he found them on the ocean. As a rule he
dishked, and half despised, the Americans ; ^ he was puzzled and
angered by the chicanery of fraudulent naturalisation papers and
the like wherewith they sought to baffle him ; and in revenge he
took refuge in brutality. He was himself the judge as to whether
or not he was satisfied in regard to the nationality of any given
seaman ; and he always gave himself the benefit of the doubt —
even when there was no doubt. Not only did he impress British
seamen who had been fraudulently naturalised as Americans, but
quite as often he impressed British seamen who had been properly
naturalised and were American citizens, and, even more often,
American citizens who were such by birth, and not merely by
adoption. The two peoples could not always with entire certainty
be told apart ; and when the British captain was short-handed he
did not endeavom* to tell them apart. Many thousands of British
seamen served in the American merchant marine ; but there were
several thousand American seamen who had been impressed into
British ships of war. One of the commonest incidents of the time
was for an American merchantman to be left helpless on the high
seas, unable to reach her port of destination, because the majority
of the crew had been taken off bj'^ some British man-of-war.
In one of Cooper's sea novels, ' Miles Wallingford,' the action
of the story centres upon the experience of an American merchant
captain with a British frigate and a French privateer ; and, like
many another good novel, it is as essentially true to life as any
professed history. When not long from New York, the ship was
overhauled by a British frigate and sent into a British port as a
prize, on the ground that she was sailing for a German port under
French influence, and that there was some doubt as to the cargo
' Althuugb. a feeling of dislike for one another may have animated officers and
men on both sides, such feeling was by no means miiversal ; and there are many
examples of warm private friendships having subsisted before the war between British
and American naval officers, and having been continued after it, even in spite of
hostile meetings having occurred during the conflict. A notable example of this kind
of friendship is to be found in the long and affectionate intimacy which subsisted
between Captain Isaac Hull, U.S.N., and Captain James Richard Dacres (2), R.N., an
intimacy heightened rather than decreased by the conduct of both on the occasion of
the capture of the Ouerriere by the (Jonstitatioii. — \V. L. C.
1812.] CLEVELAND'S GSIEVANCES. 13
papers; while most of the crew, Americans and foreigners ahke, were
taken aboard the frigate. B}- sui-prise, the remaining Americans re-
captured the ship fi-om the British prize crew, only to have their ship
overhauled anew by a French privateer, and again declared to be a
prize, upon the ground of having been previously captured by the
British. The Americans once more succeeded in regaining posses-
sion of the vessel ; but, having only four hands with w-hich to work
her, she was cast away ; so that the voyage ended with the ruin
of the owner of the ship, and the impressment of her entire crew.
This particular incident only occurred in a novel ; but it was of
a kind which occurred hundreds of times in actual life. It was
but rarely that an American merchant captain of that day did any
writing ; yet one out of the very many Salem shipmasters has left
a record of his ocean trips at the end of the last and the beginning
of the present centuries.^ He usually owned the ship he navigated,
and her cargo also ; and he sailed at different times to the chief
ports of Europe and Asia, and also to many a coast where the ports
were open roadsteads and the inhabitants bloodthirsty savages.
He was able to hold his own against mutineers, savages, and
pirates ; but he was twice brought to ruin by civilised France and
Great Britain.
In 1807, when trading to the West Indies, after having already
been repeatedly searched by British cruisers, he was taken by
Eear-Admiral the Hon. A. F. I. Cochrane, and his ship was con-
demned by a rascally little court at Tortola, whither he was sent
because a more respectable court would doubtless have released him.
The confiscation of his goods stripped him to the bone, so that he
had to begin life over again ; and, in writing of the event in after
years, he remarked : " Compelled to navigate for the support of my
family, and deprived in consequence of superintending the education
of my children, worn with anxiety and sick at heart with hoj)e
deferred, it will be seen that I was for many years an exile from all
that rendered life dear and desirable ; and this as a consequence of
the robbery of my hard-earned fortune by Admiral Cochrane."
Two years later he again got a ship, which he took to Naples,
whither he was enticed, with a number of other American merchant-
men, by one of the treacherous proclamations of Najsoleon. Having
got the ships into his power. Napoleon, acting through Murat,
' ' Vuyiiges of an Aiiiericaii Xavigator.' By Kichard J. C'lcvtlauil, \>\\ VIA, l-i;l.
14 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
had them all seized and confiscated, without even the formality of
a trial. In comparing the two disasters the sufferer commented
upon the difference between them as being of not much more con-
sequence than the distinction between " the act of the highwayman
who demands your money at the muzzle of a pistol, and that of
the swindler who robs you under the form of law." The marvel
is, not that such outrages were resented, but that they were ever
endured.
No better description of the attitude of the two parties, British
and American, toward one another was ever given than is contained
in the waitings of a most gallant British officer. Captain Basil
Hall, E.N. In 1831 he published two little volumes of 'Voyages
and Travels,' which contained a chapter called "Blockading a
Neutral Port." In this he described what he saw when a Midship-
man on board the 50-gun ship Leander, while she was lying off' New
York harbour, to carry out the instructions of the British Govern-
ment as to supervising the American trade with Prance. I quote
at some length, condensing a little, from his description because it
is the best ever given by a responsible authority of what really
occurred under the Orders in Council ; and it is written with entire
good temper and truthfulness : —
" Tlie blockading service at any time is a tedious one; but upon tliis occasion we
contrived to enliven it in a mariner wliich, whether legitimate or not, was certainly
highly exciting, and sometimes rather profitable, lo us.
" With the outward bound vessels we had little to do, but with those which came
from foreign parts, especially from France, then our bitter enemy, we took the
liberty — the American said the improjjer liberty. The ships we meddled with, so much
to the displeasure of the Americans, were tliose wliich, to outward appearance, belonged
to citizens of the United St:ites, but on board which we had reason, good or bad, to
Kusjiect there was cargo owned by the enemy. Nothing appears to be so easy as to
forge a ship's papers or to swear false oaths ; and, accordingly, a great deal of French
property was imported into America in vessels certainh' belonging to the United States,
but covered, as it was called, by documents implying an American or neutral right in
it. In the very same way, I suppose, much Spanish property was for a long course of
years imported into South America in English bottoms when Spain was at war with
her colonies. England in that case acted the part of a neutral, and learned in like
manner for the lucre of gain to trifle with all the obligations of an oath. The adroit
neutral, by watching bis time, can always minister to the several necessities of the
combatants, sometimes to one and sometimes to the other, according as the payment is
good or bad, and in such a manner as to be sure of his o^vn profit, reckless at whose
cost. At the same time he must naturally lay his account with provoking the
displeasure of the powers at war, who in their turn will, of course, do all they jxissibly
can to prevent the neutral from lending assistance to their opponents respectively.
"Conflicting nations accordingly have always claimed, and, when they can, will
never cease to enforce, this right of searching neutral ships in order to discover whether
or not there be enemies' property on board.
1812.] SUPERVISING AMERICAN TRADE. 15
" Every morning at daybreak ilnring our stay utT New York we set about arresting
the (jrogress of all vessels we saw, firing ofl" gvms to tlie right ami left, to miike every
shii) that was running in heave to, or wait until we had leisure to send a boat on board
' to see,' in our lingo, ' what she was made of.' I have frequently known a dozen, and
sometimes a couple of dozen, ships l^'ing a league or two otf the port, losing their fair
wind, their tide, and, worse than all, their market, for many hours, sometimes the whole
day, before our search was completed. I am not now inquiring whether all this was
right, or whether it was even necessary, but simply describing the fact.
"When any circumstances in the ship's papers looked suspicious, the boarding
officer brought the master and liis documents to the Leaiider, where they were furtlier
examined by the Captain; and, if anything more im|iortant was then elicited by the
examination of the parties or their papers to justify the idea that the cargo was French
and not American, as was pretended, the ship was forthwith detained. She was tlien
manned with an English crew from the ships of war and ordered off to Halifax, to be
there tried in the Admiralty Court.
"One can easily conceive how this sort of proceeding, in every possible case, must ■
be vexatious to the neutral. If the cargo be all the while, botu't fide, the jiroperty of
the neutral whose flag it is sailing under, the vexation caused Viy this interruiition to
the voyage is excessive. In the event of restoration or acquittal, the owner's loss, it is
said, is seldom, if ever, adequately compensated for by the awarded damages.
" We detained, at that period, a good many American vessels on the ground of
having French or Spanish property on board. Three or four, I remember, were
restored to their owners by the decision of the Admiralty Court ; and two of them were
forcibly recaptured by the Americans on their way to Halifax. On board one of these
ships the master and the few hands left in her to give evidence at the trial rose in the
night, overpowered the prize master and his crew, nailed down the hatches, and having
put the helm up, with the wind on land, gained the coast before the scale of authority
could be turned.
" Tliere was another circumstance, connected with our proceedings at that time, of
still more serious annoyance to the Ameiicaus, and one requiring in its discussion still
greater delicacy of handling. I need hardly mention that I allude to tiie impressment
of those seamen who were found serving on board American merchatit ships, but who
were known to be English subjects. It seems quite clear that, while we can hold it,
we will never give up the right of search, or the right of impressment. We may, and
ought certainly to, exercise so disagreeable a power with such temper and iliscretion as
not to provoke the enmity of any friendly nation. But at the time I speak of, and on
board our good old ship the Lettnder, whose name I was grieveil, but not surprised, to
find was still held in detestation three or four and twenty years afterwards at New Yoi'k,
I am sorry to own we had not much of this discretion in our proceedings ; or, rather, we
had not enough consideration for the feelings of the people we were dealing with. We
have since learned to respect them more— or, as they prefer to express it, they have
since taught us to respect them : be it either way, it matters not much ; and if it please
the Americans more to say they have instructed us in this point of good manners, than
to allow that we have come to a knowledge of better habits, well and good.
" To place the full annoyance of these matters in a light to be viewed fairly by I'.nglish
peo])le: let us suppose that the Americans and French were to go to war, ainl that
England for once remained neutral, and that an American squadron stationed itself off
Liverpool. If the American ships were to detain olV the jiort, within a league or so o{
the lighthouse, every British ship coming from France or from n French colony ; and
if, besides looking over the pajierB of these ships to see whether all was regular, they
were to open every jirivate letter in the hojie of detecting some trace of French owner-
ship in the cargo, what should we say? If, out of twenty ships, one or two were to be
conqiletely ilivertcd from their course from time to time, anil sent ofl" under a prize
master to New York fur adjudication, I wonder how ihe Liverpool fnlks would like It?
16 THE WAl! WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
Conceive, for instance, tli.it the American squadron employed to blockade the Frencli
ships in Liverpool were short-handed, but, from being in daily expectation of bringing
their enemy to action, it had become an object of great consequence with them to get
their ships manned. And suppose, likewise, that it was perfectly notorious to all parties
that on board every English ship, arriving or sailing from the port in question, there
were several American citizens calling themselves Englishmen, and having in their
possession 'protections' or certificates to that efl'ect sworn to in regular form, but all
Known to lie lalse. If the American man-of-war, off the English port, were then to lire
at and stop every ship, and, besides overhauling her papers and cargo, were to take out
any seamen, to work their own guns withal, whom they had reason, or supiposed, or
sai<l they had reason, to consider American citizens, or whose country they guessed from
dialect or appearance, I wish to know with what degree of patience this would be
submitted to on the Exchange at Liverpool, or anywhere else in England.
" In putting a parallel case to ours oft' Xew York, and supposing Liverpool to be
blockaded by the Americans, on the ground of having to watch some French ships, I
omitted to throw in one item which is necessary to complete the jiarallel. In 1804,
when we were blockading the French frigates in New York, a casual shot from the
Leander hit an unfortunate ship's mainboom; and the broken spar, striking the mate,
John Peirce by name, killed him instantly. The sloop sailed on to New York, where
the mangled body, raised on a platform, was paraded through the streets in order to
augment the vehement indignation, already at a high pitch, against the English. Now,
let us be candid to our rivals, and ask whether the Americans would have been worthy
of our friendship, or even of our hostility, had they tamely submitted to indignities
which, if passed upon ourselves, would have roused not only Liverpool, but the whole
country into a towering passion of nationality ? "
The British Minister, Erskine, laid the situation fairly before
his Government, writing to them that American ill-will was naturally
excited hy the "insulting behaviour" of British captains "in the
very harbours and waters of the United States," while the whole
coast was blockaded as if in time of war, and every American ship
vigorously searched in sight of the shore. ^
According to the best estimate, some twenty-five hundred British
seamen were drawn annually into the American merchant marine ;
and, on the other hand, about a thousand seamen, supposed to be
British, but in large part American, were impressed from American
merchantmen by British warships every year ; while hundreds of
these merchantmen were seized b}' British cruisers, not merely on
the high seas, but within gunshot of the American coast. The
Americans clamoured in anger, but took no effectual steps in retalia-
tion. The seafaring people were wiUing to risk a war; but the
merchants were not, for, after all, the neutral trade was very remu-
nerative, and, inasmuch as they pocketed the profits, they were willing
to pocket the accompanying insults and injuries. Even the outrages
on the coast met with no more response than the tedious protests
of diplomacy, and an occasional outburst of indignation in some
' Adams, iv. 143.
1812.]
THE "LEOPARD" AND THE ''CHESAPEAKE:'
11
town which refused for the moment to furnish provisions to a
peculiarly offensive British frigate. It could hardly be deemed verj-
spirited retaliation, this refusal to give green vegetables to the men
who slew or imprisoned American citizens. But finally something
occurred which really did rouse the whole nation, for the British
suddenly extended their theory of the right of search so as to
include, not merely the merchant vessels, but the warships of the
United States.
ADMIRAL THE HON. SIB GKDRGK l KA.NJ-lKl.ll IIKHKELEY, CCB.
(Frnin liiitlt'i/'s lithograith iiftir tin ititrtrait hij J/m- Piiiti.)
The British ships on the American coast were under the com-
mand of Vice-Admiral the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, who
was stationed at Halifax. Desertions were rife from iiiuong these
ships, and, indeed, were not infrequent from the American sliips
themselves. Naturally, whenever a I'ritisli sliij) was lying off an
American port, the American seamen aboanl her were eager for a
chance to get ashore and desert ; and some of the British seamen
wore delighted to follow suit. In ISO? the Admiral issued an order
reciting the fact that a certain iuniil)er of deserters had escaped
VOL. VI. f
18 THE KAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
from various British vessels, which he enumerated, and directed the
captains of the ships under him to reclaim these deserters wherever
found ; specificaUy ordering them to search even an American man-
of-war which might be suspected of having them aboard. At that
time a British squadron, including both two-deckers and frigates,
lay off Norfolk. When they received the news, the American
frigate Chesapeake was about to put to sea. She had aboard her
one of the deserters alluded to, and the 50-gun ship Leopard,
Captain Salusbury Pryce Humphreys, was despatched to overhaul
her and re-claim hiiu.
The Chesapeake rated thirty-eight guns, and on this voyage
carried forty. She was inferior in strength to the Leopard, about
in the proportion that a 38-gun frigate was inferior to a 44 ; that
is, the inferiority was not such as to warrant her striking without
resistance. The Chesapeake was mider the command of Captain
James Barron when she put out ; and, of course, neither he nor
anyone. else aboard her dreamed that there was the slightest fear
of attack from the British ships which were lying at anchor or
cruising in the harbour. The Chesapeake s decks were lumbered
up, and none of her guns were ready for action, for they were
without gunlocks, and could only be fired by means of slow
matches, or of firing-irons previously heated in the fire. When
the Leopard approached, Barron still felt no suspicion of the errand
on which she came, and he was dumbfounded when he was informed
of the purpose to search his ship. It was, of course, a proposition to
which no naval officer who did not wish to be hanged for cowardice
or treason could submit ; and Barron refused. After a few minutes'
hesitation, he began to prepare for defence ; but, long before the
preparations were completed, the Leopard opened fire. After sub-
mitting to three broadsides, which killed or wounded twenty-one
men, the Chesapeake struck. She had been able to fire in return
but a single gun, which Lieutenant AVilliam Henr_y Allen discharged
by means of a hot coal which he brought in his hands from the
galley. The British then boarded her, and took out four deserters
from British ships, three of these deserters being Americans, and
only one a British subject ; and the Chesapeake returned to port in
an agony of shame and rage. Captain Barron was court-martialled,
but was acquitted of all charges save neglect to utilise fully the
short period given him by the Leopard in which to make ready
for the fight. Decatur, however, always considered him more
f
1812.]
AMElilCAN EXASPERATION.
19
blameworthy than was shown In' the judj^inent ; and in after hie
the quarrel between the two men gave rise to a duel in which
Decatur was slain.
The event was a terrible tragedy ; but one touch of comedy was
supplied by Admiral Berkeley's letter approving the deed. In this
he warned Captain Humphreys, of the Leopard, not to pay heed to
American criticism of a feat which was as lawless as any deed of
piracy ever committed on the high seas, because he "must make
BEAK-ADMIRAL SIR SALUSDURY I-RVCE llAVKXl'liKT (PRKVIOUSI.Y HaMPHBEYS),
KT., C.B., K.C.H.
(.'Wti'r Pwjr'ft Uthii'iraph, In thr ' Nm'nJ Chntnirh.' IHIL', tt/ Iliitiiiihrrijit uh ii PoM-Cavtain )
allowances for the heated state of the populace in a country where
law, and every tie both civil and religious, is treated so lightly." '
Such an outrage convulsed the whole country for the moment,
and spurred to action even Jefferson, the most timid and least
warlike of presidents ; but Jefferson, even when angry, was
utterly unable to uphold the honour or dignity of the nation in
any dispute with a foreign power. Thougli Ik; led the people
wrong, it must be rememljcrt'd that they were more than willing to
' Marshall; 'Naval Biognipliy,' ii. 8'.i5.
c '2
20 THE WAl! WITH THE VXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
follow his lead ; for the Americans of that clay lacked national
feeling, and were possessed of a party spirit rendered more than
usually ignoble because of the fact that the rival factions fought
under the badges of France and England, and considered all
American questions solely from the standpoint of the foreign nation
whose interests they happened to champion. The President, the
Congress, and the people as a whole all showed an unworthy dread
of the appeal to arms.
Instead of declaring war, Jefferson put in practice one of his
favourite schemes, that of commercial war, as he called it. In
other words, he declared an embargo on all American shipping,
refusing to allow any of it to leave American ports, and hoping
thus so to injure the interests of England and France as to force
them to refrain from injuring America : a futile hope, rightly
destined to meet with the failure which should attend the efforts
of men and of nations that lack that most elementary and needful
of all virtues, the orderly courage of the soldier. The temper of
Jefferson's mind, and the extraordinary military foolishness of the
American people as a whole, may be gathered from the fact that,
in preparing for war, all he could suggest was that the ships of war
should be laid up so as not to tempt the enemy to capture them ;
and that the United States should rely upon the worthless militia
on shore, and the flotillas of equally worthless gunboats along the
coast. ^ The British Government, through Canning, disavowed
Berkeley's act and recalled him, but accompanied the disavowal
with requests and demands in connection with the Orders in
Council which were in themselves almost as great insults. Jeffer-
son could not make his embargo work. It did some damage to
Great Britain and France, but by no means enough to force either to
yield, while it wrought such ruin in America as very nearly to bring
about a civil war. It was a mean and ignoble effort to avoid war ;
and it spoke ill for its promoters that they should prefer it to the
manlier course which would have appealed to all really brave and
generous natures. At the very end of his administration Jefferson
was forced to submit to the repeal of his pet measure, and the
substitution of a non-intercourse act, which merely forbad vessels
to sail direct to France or England : a measure which, if it ac-
complished no more good, at least did very much less harm.
The British Government resolutely declined to withdraw the
' Adams, iv. 159.
1812.] EFFECT OF XAPOLEOX'S DECliEES. 21
Orders in Council, or to iihiuulon tho impressment of seamen from
American ships ; but, inasmuch as the measures taken by the
American government bore equally heavily against France and
Britain, they ceased to blockade the American ports, or to exercise
the right of search on the American coasts ; for they insisted that
America must not favour France at the expense of Britain, and
hope to escape retaliation. An inteiininable diplomatic wrangle
followed, the British and the French ahke accusing the Americans
of favouring their opponents ; and the Americans endeavouring to
persuade each set of combatants that its conduct was worse than
that of the other, and should be abandoned. Finally, in 1810,
Napoleon made in the last and worst of his decrees certain changes
which the Americans thought were equivalent to a repeal. Napoleon
and his administrators were steeped in such seething duplicit}',
mendacity, and corruption, that negotiations with the French at that
period afforded a peculiarly difficult problem. He allowed one set of
puljlic officials to issue mandates showing that the repeal of the
decrees was real, and he permitted action to be taken in accordance
with these mandates ; while another set of officers, or even the same
set on some other occasion, might ignore the alleged repeal and
enforce the original decrees. Just prior to going through the form
of a pretended repeal, he had enforced a sweeping confiscation of
American ships by an act of gross treachery, and he evaded making
restitution for this ; while, later, one of his squadrons burned American
merchant vessels at sea. However, on the assumption that the
repeal of the obnoxious decrees had been declared, the American
government discontinued the operation of the non-intercourse law as
against France. Thereupon the British Government, insisting that
the decrees had really not Ijeen repealed, renewed the blockade of
the American coast, and there began once more the familiar series
of outrages ; American ships being confiscated, and American sailors
impressed, off the mouth of American harbours, and within gunsliot
of tlie American shore. Even tlie greed of gain, and the timidity
of the doctrinaire politicians who l)elieved in a conquest to be
achieved purely by peace, could not withstand this, and the war spirit
rose steadily among the American people ; although without tliat
accompaniment of forethought, and of resolute, intelligent prepara-
tion, the lack of which tends to m;ike war spirit merely bluster.
At the time the conduct of the French was in intention rather
worse than that of the English, and tlic damage which the French
22 THE WAI! WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
inflicted on the property within their clutches was ahnost as great ;
Irat they had made a pretence of repeahng the obnoxious decrees,
whereas Great Britain positively declined to repeal the Orders in
Council, or to abandon the right of impressment. Moreover, what
was far more important, the French were remote and could not do
the damage they wished, whereas the British warships were in sight
of the American coast, and their actions were the every-day theme
of indignant comment. In such circumstances it was inevitable that
the people, smarting under their wrongs, should feel inclined to
revenge them against the nearer and more obvious aggressor ; though
this did not excuse the American government for the failure to take
a stand as decided against France as against Great Britain.
In 1811 there occuiTed another collision between armed ships of
the two nations. The great frigate. President, under the command
of Captain John Eodgers, encountered the British sloop of war Little
Belt, under the command of Commander Arthur Batt Bingham, not
very far from the scene of the Chesapeake's humiliation. The en-
counter took place at night, under a misunderstanding which each
alleged to be the fault of the other. Shots were exchanged, and a
regular tight, lasting about a quarter of an hour, took place, when the
Little Belt, which was not of a quarter the force of her antagonist,^
was of course silenced, having thirty-two of her men either killed or
wounded. Not a man was touched on board the President.- Each
accused the other of having fired the first shot and brought on the
action. But, taking into account the great dispai-ity in force between
the combatants, and the further fact that Eodgers carried a letter of
instructions from the Secretary of the Navy, which, in effect, directed
him to err on the side of aggressiveness rather than to run any risk
of a repetition of the Chesapeale affair, it is difdcult not to come to
the conclusion that the President was the offender. The incident
deeply exasperated the British captains along the coast, while it put
the Americans in high feather. They accepted it as an offset to the
Chesapeake affair, and no longer dwelt much upon the need of
redress for the latter.
All of this really rendered war inevitable ; but as the American
government grew more, the British Government gi-ew less, ready to
' The Litth Belt carried eighteen 32-pr. carronades and two 9-prs., with a com-
plement of 121 men and boys; the President, a "44-gun" frigate, seems to have
mounted thirty-two 24-prs. and twenty-four 12-pr. carronades. — AV. L. C.
^ Rodgers's letter. May 23rd, 1811 : Secretary Hamilton to Eodgers, June 9th, 1810;
Bingham's letter, May 23rd, 1811.
1812.] DELUSIONS OF BOTH SIDES. 23
appeal to the sword. Finally, in June 1812, Madison i5ent in his
declaration of war, tin; two chief grievances alleged being the right
of search and the impressment of seamen. Almost at the same
time, and therefore too late to do anj' good, the British Government
repealed the Orders in Council : a step which, if taken a j^ear before,
would not only have prevented war, but very possibly would have
made America declare war on France.
Deeply to the national discredit, the American government and
people had made no adequate preparation for the conflict into which
they plunged. The statesmen who had been in control of the
administration for the last dozen years, Jefferson and his followers,
were utterly incompetent to guard the national honour when
menaced by a foreign Power. They were painfully unable to plan
or carry out proper measures for national defence. The younger
democratic-republican leaders, men like Claj' and Calhoun, were
unlike their elders in being willing to fight, but they had not the
slightest conception what war meant, or hov/ to meet the formidable
foe to whom they had thrown down the glove. Instead of keeping
quiet and making preparations, they made no preparations, and
indulged in vainglorious boastings. Clay asserting that the militia
of Kentucky alone would conquer Canada ; and Calhoun, that the
conquest would be made almost without an effort. The memory of
these boasts must have cost bitter mortification to the authors a
couple of years later. The people as a whole deserved just the
administrative w'eakness with which they were cursed by their
chosen rulers. Had Jefferson and the other leaders of popular
opinion been wiser and firmer men, they could have led the po(ii)lo
to make better preparations ; but the people themselves did not
desire wiser or better leadership. The only party which had ever
acted with dignity in foreign affairs, or taken proper measures for
the national defence and national honour, was the party of the
Federalists; and the Federalists had sunk into a seditious faction,
especially in New England, where discontent with the war reached
a treasonable pitch before it ended.
Though at the last the British Government had seemed reluctant
to go into the war, anticipating no good from it, no question as to
the result crossed the mind of any British statesman, soldier or sailor.
The Mtiniiiii/ Post, the organ of the Government, expressed the
general feeling when it said in an inspired article that " a war of a
very few months, without creating to " (England) " the expense of a
24 THE WAlt WITH THE USITED STATES, 1S12-15. [1812.
single additional ship, would be sufficient to convince" (America) "of
her folly by a necessary chastisement of her insolence and audacity." ^
Indeed, there was one factor which both sides agreed at the outset
could be neglected, and that was the American navy. The British
could hardly be said to have considered it at all ; and American
statesmen so completely shared the British belief in British in-
vulnerability at sea, that there was a general purpose to lay up
the American ships in port ; and this course was only prevented by
the striking victories with which the navj" opened its career.
The American navy itself did not in the least share the feelings of
its friends and foes. The officers knew that their ships were, on the
whole, better built and better armed than any foreign ships of their
classes ; and they had entire confidence in their own training and
courage, and in the training and courage of the men under them.
The navy had been in existence only fourteen years. It was probably
fortunate that the service of none of the officers extended back to the
revolutionary struggle, when the American warships were really, for
the most part., merely ill-disciplined privateers. The first experience
of the navy, in the struggle with France, had been honoui-able. A
French frigate and corvette were captured in single fight, while the
West Indian seas were almost cleared of French privateers, and no
American vessel was lost. Then came the war with the Barbarj'
States, which lasted four years, and was a still better training school ;
for though it was mostly a wearisome blockade, yet there were
bombardments, single ship encounters — in which the vessels of the
Moorish pirates were captured — and desperate cutting-out expedi-
tions, in which the Yankee cutlass proved an over-match for the
Moorish scimitar. It was in that war that the commanders who
later won distinction against the lords of the sea, gained their first
experience of hard and dangeroiis fighting, and of commanding men
in action. They improved the experience thus gained bj' careful
training in time of peace.
In 1812 the American navy regarded itself with intelligent and
resolute self-confidence. The people at large not merely failed to
possess this confidence, but also showed criminal neghgence in
refusing to build up a navy. The very Congress which declared
for war actually voted down a ];ill to increase the navy by twelve
battleships and twenty frigates. The Federalists supported the
proposition, but the great bulk of the dominant party, though
' Morniny Post, November 12th, 1807.
1812.]
THE AMEltWAX XAVY.
clamorous for war, yet decliiu'd to take the steps which alone could
have justified their clamour ; and in so doing the}" represented only
too well the people behind them. Their conduct was humiliating
to the national honour : it was a crime, and it left a stain on the
national character and reputation. Contempt is the emotion of all
others which a nation should be least willing to arouse ; and con-
tempt was aroused by the attitude of those Americans who, in iNl'i
and before, refused to provide an adequate navy, and declined to put
the country into shape which should render it tit for self-defence.
There are plenty of philanthropists and politicians in the America
of to-day who show the same timid, short-sighted folly, and supine
indifference to national honour ; nor is the breed wholly lacking in
England.
In 1812 the navy of the United States, exclusive of two or three
condemned hulks and a score or so of worthless gunboats, consisted
of the following vessels : —
Katk.
(Guns.)
Dath of
uuiluing.
TOSNAC
1797
157G
1797
1576
1800
1576
1797
^ 1265
1799
1208
1799
1244
1799
860
1799
560
1805
480
l!-0(i
4.50
1803
298
1803
250
1803
185
1803
185
1799
165
IHIO
UH
44
44
44
38
38
38
32
28
18
18
16
16
14
14
12
12
United States . ... Frigate
Constitution „
President „
Constellation „
Congress „
<'liesapeuke . .... „
Essex .... . ,,
Adams Corvette
Hornet Ship-sloop
Waup „
Arijns Jjrig-sloop
Syren
Nautilus „
Vi.ien „
Enterprise Brig
Viper „
Tonnage was at that time reckoned arljitrarily in several different
ways. One of the tricks of naval writers of the period, on both
bides, was to compute the tonnage differently for friendly and foreign
ships, thus making out the most gratifying disparity in size, for the
benefit of tlu^ national vanity.'
' The British inetliud of coinpntiiig tonnage lieing iliflereiit from tlie AmtTican,
ami even tlie iiietli(Kls of iiieasuremeut being dilVerent, it is not jiosKihlc to make an
absolutely accurate comparison of tlie tonnage of the combatants. According to the
British methods, the American frigates would measure from 100 to 1.50 tons le.ss than
the figures given above. I have discussed the matter fully in the apjvendix to my
' Naval War of Is 12." .liuiics, tlic l'.rilii*h historian, ihone of the writers who, ei<|>eciHlly
26 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
The four smallest brigs were worthless craft originally altered
from schooners. The other twelve vessels were among the best of
their respective classes afloat. At that time there were two kinds of
gnns in use in all navies : the long gim and the carronade.' The
carronade was short and hght, but of large calibre. At long ranges
it was useless ; at short ranges, owing to the greater weight of the
shot, it was much more useful than a long gun of less calibre.
American sloops and brigs were armed only with carronades, save for
two long bow-chasers ; frigates were armed with long guns on the
main-deck, and with carronades and two long bow-chasers on the
quarter-deck and forecastle, or what the Americans called the spar-
deck. The onl}^ exception to this rule was the Essex, which was
armed with forty 32-pr. carronades and six long 12's. In comparing
the relative force of any pair of combatants, the most important item
is the relative weight of metal in broadside ; but, in considering
this, allowance must always be made for the difference between
carronades and long guns, the latter being, relatively to their calibre,
much more powerful and efficient weapons. The annalist of each
side usually omits all considerations of this kind when they tell
against their own people.
The only other class of ocean vessels used by the Americans
during the war may as well be alluded to here. It consisted of a
class of fine ship-sloops, of -509 tons, each carrying twenty-two guns,
which put to sea in 1814.
Almost all the American ships carried more guns than they rated.
The 44-gun frigate usually carried fifty-four, consisting of thirty
long '24's on the main- deck, and on the spar-deck two long bow-
chasers, and either twenty or twenty-two carronades — 32-pounders
in the Constitution, and 42-pounders in the President and the
United States. The ConstcUation, Congress, and Chesapeake carried
forty-eight guns, twenty-eight long 18's on the main-deck, and on
the spar-deck two long 18's, and eighteen 32-pr. carronades. The
ship-sloops carried 32-pr. carronades, and long 12's for bow-chasers.
The brig-sloops carried 24 or 18-pr. carronades, according to
their size.
in dealing witli the lake flotillas, adopts diflerent standards for the two sides : and his
latest editor has attempted to justify him, by ignoring the fact that the question is,
not as to the accuracy of James's figures by any one standard, but as to his using two
diflerent standards as if they were the same.
' For fuller information as to the carronade, see Vol. Ilf., pp. 330-333. — W. L. C.
1S1_'.] THE FlilGATE CLASSES. 27
The British vessels with which the American ships most
frequentlj' came in contact were the ;S8-gmi frigates and the 18-gUD
brig-sloops. The 38-gun frigates were almost exactly similar in size
and armament to the American ships of the same rate. The brig-
sloops were somewhat less in size than the Hornet ; they were
supposed to carry eighteen guns, two bow-chasers and sixteen
3'2-pound carronades.
The system of rating, like the system of measuring tonnage, was
thus purely artificial. The worst case of underrating in the American
navy was that of the Essex, which rated thirty-two and carried
forty-six guns, so that her real, was 44 per cent, in excess of her
nominal force. Among the British ships with which the Americans
came in contact, the worst case of underrating was the Cyaiie,
which was rated at twenty-two and carried thirty-three guns,
making a difference of 50 per cent. The Wasp carried eighteen
guns, the Hornet twenty. The English brig-sloops almost always
carried one light carronade beyond their rating, and sometimes, in
addition, a hght stern-chaser, or two bow-chasers, thrust into the
bridle ports.
The conflicts which at the time and afterwards attracted most
attention were the first three frigate fights, all of which took
place between the American 44's and the British SB's. In each
case the American ship was markedly superior in force. The
countrymen of each combatant tricni, on the one side, to enhance
the glory of the victory by minimising this difference in force, and,
on the other, to explain away the defeat by exaggerating it. The
Americans asserted, not merely in their histories, but even by
resolutions in Congress, that the ships were practically equal in
force, which a glance at the figures given above will show to be an
absurd imtruth. The British, on the other hand, sought consolation
in declaring that the American frigates were " disguised line-of-
battle ships." This has been solemnly repeated at intervals to the
present day. It is of course pure nonsense. The American 44's
were the finest frigates afloat; luit tlicre had already l)een
24-pounder frigates, not only in the British, but also in the French
and Danish navies. One of the British frigates with which the
Americans came in contact was the 4()-gun frigate Endijmion. The
Endymion, like the Constitution, carried long 24*8 on her main-deck,
and 32-pound carronades on her spar-deck. In 1815 she had fifty-one
guns, including a shifting 24-pound carronade, making ii l)roadsido
28 THE KAi: WITH THE EXITED UTATES, lSlli-15. [l!sl2.
of 698 pounds. The Constitution that year carried fifty-two guns,
and threw a broadside of 704 pounds. The difference in weight of
metal was therefore just six pounds, or one per cent., which is
certainly not enough to mark the difference between a 40-gim frigate
and a "disguised line-of-battle ship." As a matter of fact, the
difference between the force and the rating was greater in the case
of the Endijmion than in that of the Constitution.
The United States was not the first nation that invented the
heavy frigate, but was the first to use it effectively. The French
'24-pounder carried a ball about five pounds heavier than that of the
American 24, and the 36-pound carronade which the French put
on their spar-decks caiTied a heavier ball than the American or
British 42-pounder ; for the French pound was about 15 per cent,
heavier than the English. Nevertheless the French, as well as the
Dutch and Danish, heavy •24-pounder frigates had failed to distin-
guish themselves, and had been captured by the British just as
easily as the 18-pounder frigates. In consequence, the belief was
general that the 18-poimder frigates were really better as fighting
machines than those with 24-pounders. The American successes
upset this theory, because the Americans built heavy frigates which
were even better than those built liy the French and Dutch, and put
into them officers and seamen who were able to handle and fight
them as no frigates at that time were handled or fought by any
other nation.
The size and seaworthy qualities, and the excellent anuament
of the American vessels did the utmost credit, both to those
who had planned them, and to those who had built them. There
was one point in which there was a falling off' as compared with
the British. The American foundries were not verj' good, and in
consequence the guns were more Hable to accidents ; and almost
all the shot were of Ught weight, the shortage varying from two or
three to as much as ten per cent. As a result, the real weight of the
American broadside was always somewhat less than the nominal.
The personnel of the American navy consisted of 500 officers,
but twelve of whom were captains, and 5230 seamen and boys, of
whom 2346 were destined for the cruising war vessels, the remainder
being for service at the forts and navy yards, in the gun-boats, and
on the lakes. The officers were almost exclusively native Americans.
In the crews native Americans also overwhelmingh- predominated ;
there were, however, a certain number of foreigners aboard almost
1812.] THE NAVIES COMPARED. 29
every vessel, the proportion of English being probablj' larger than
that of any other nationality, in spite of the fact that Great Britain
was the country with which the Americans were at war. This pro-
portion of foreigners, and especially of Englishmen, varied in the
different ships. The captains, under instructions from the Secretary
of the Navy, got rid of as many English as possible at the outbreak
of the war, fearing lest they might be reluctant to fight against their
countrymen. A good many remained, possibly as many as ten or
even fifteen per cent, of the total in some of the ships, but certainly
a smaller percentage on the average.
The British Navy was so large as to put all comparison between
it and that of the United States out of the question. But the
British Navy could not be diverted from the use to which it had
so long been put. It was a knife at the throat of Napoleon, and it
could not be taken away. However, this applied only to the great
Heets, and there was no need of great fleets for use against America.
A few two-deckers, and a score or two of frigates would, it was
believed, suffice to keep in check the entire American navy, and to
blockade all the important American ports.
The British Navy stood at the height of its splendour and
triumph, and higher than any other navy either before or since.
During twenty years of almost uninterrupted warfare it had cowed
or destroyed the navies of all other European powers. In fleet
action after fleet action it had crushed to atoms the sea might of
France, of Spain, of Holland, and of Denmark ; in hundreds of
single ship fights, in which the forces engaged on each side were
fairly equal, the monotonous record of Britain's triumphs had been
broken by less than half-a-dozen defeats. The British officers felt
absolute confidence in tluir juowess, and they despised their new
foes. As a whole they had begun to pay less attention to gunnery
since Nelson's death ; and this lack of care and their overwhelming
pride and self-confidence— good qualities, but bad if carried to excess
— made them less fit than formerly to contend on tMjual terms for
the mastery of the ocean with enemies more skilful than any they
had yet encountered. Their European antagonists had been com-
pletely cowed, and always entered into a fight half beaten in
advance; l)Ut in the .\niericans they had to meet men of a difi'erent
mettle.
In June, 1812, there were half-a-dozen British frigates, and one
30 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
old two-decker, the Africa, 64,' immediately off the American
coast. Had the American ships been ready they could doubtless
have overcome these, even when collected into a squadron, as they
were as soon as the new-s of the outbreak of the war became known.
Such a victory over a squadron would have been an incalculable
benefit to the Americans ; but the administration had no thought
of such action. It wished to lay up the American frigates in
port, and was only prevented from doing so by the urgent re- f-l
monstrances of two of the naval captains. The Secretary of the fj
Navy wrote letters to Captain Isaac Hull urging him to act, even
against a single foe, with timid caution ; but Hull, fortunatelj-, was
willing to bear the responsibility which his superior shirked.^
However, even a bold administration could have done little at the
moment. The ships were not ready, and all that could be done was
to send Captain John Eodgers on a cruise with his own frigate, the
President, 44, the United States, 44, Captain Stephen Decatm-, the
Congress, 38, Captain John Smith, the Hornet, 18, Captain James
Lawrence, and the Argus, 16, Captain Ajrthur Sinclair. Rodgers
put to sea on June '21st, hoping to strike the West Indies' homeward7
bound fleet. ^ Two days out of the port he encountered the British
frigate Behndera, 36, Captain Richard Byron (2).* Byron had been
infoi-med of the likelihood of war by a New York pilot boat ; and as
soon as he made out the strange ships he stood away before the
wind. The Americans made all sail in chase, the President, a very
fast ship off the wind, leading, and the Congress coming next.
At noon the President was within less than three miles of the
Behndera, steering N.E. by E. As the President kept gaining,
Byron cleared for action, and shifted to the stern ports two long
18's on the main-deck and two 32-pomid carronades on the quarter-
deck. At 4.30^ Commodore Eodgers himself fired the President's
starboard forecastle bow-chaser ; the corresponding main-deck gun
was next discharged ; and then Eodgers fired his gun again. All
three shots struck the stern of the Belvidera, killing and wounding
nine men ; but when the President's main-deck gun was discharged
' The Africa, built in 1781, was, iu 1812, flagship of Vice-Admiral Herbert
Sawyer (2), who, since 1810, had been Commander-in-Chief on the Halifax station. —
W. L. C.
* IngersoU's ' Second War between the United States and Great Britain,' i. 377, 381.
^ Captain John Rodgers to tlie Secretary of the Navy, Sept. 1st, 1812.
* Brenton, v. 46.
' Cooper, ii. 151.
1812.] ESCAPE OF THE "BELVIDEHA:- 31
for the second time it l)urst, l^lowing up the forecastle deck and
kilHng and wounding sixteen men, among them the Commodore
himself, whose leg was broken. Nothing causes more panic than
such an explosion, for every gun is at once distrusted ; and in the
midst of the confusion Byron opened his stern-chaser, and killed
or wounded six men more. Had the President pushed steadily
on, using only her bow-chasers until she closed, she would probably
have run abreast of the Belinchn-a, which could not then have success-
fully withstood her ; but, instead of doing this, she bore up and tired
her port broadside, doing little damage ; and this manoeuvre she
repeated again and again ; while the Belvidera kept up a brisk and
galling tire with her stern-chasers, and her active seamen repaired
the damage done by the President's guns as fast as it occm-red.'
Byron cut away his anchors, the barge, yawl, gig, and jolly-boat,
and started fourteen tons of water, gradually shifting his course,
and beginning to draw ahead, and the President, which had lost
much ground by yawing to dehver her broadsides, could not regain
it.- The upshot of it was that Captain Byron escaped and got
safely into Halifax on June 27th, having shown himself to be a
skilful seaman and resolute commander.* Subsequently, when
engaged in the blockade of the Chesapeake, he proved himself to be
as humane and generous to non-combatants as he was formidable
to aiTued foes.
Rodgers's squadron continued its cruise, but returned home two
months later vvithout accomplishing anything save the capture of
a few merchantmen. When Byron brought the news of the war to
Halifax, a squadron of ships* was immediately despatched to cruise
against the United States, under the command of Captain Philip
Bowes Vere Broke, of the Shannon. Meanwhile the Essex, 32, had
to put to sea under Captain David Porter, after he had in vain
implored the Navy Department to allow him to change her main-
deck carronades for long guns. She cut out a transport with a
couple of hundred soldiers from a convoy of troopships bound to
Quebec, under the protection of the British frigate Minerva, 82,
' James, vi. llii.
- Sir Howard Douglas, ' Naval Gunnery,' 419 (3rd edition).
' In this atVair, Lieutenants John Sykes (2), William Henry Bruce (2), who waH
wounded, and the Hon. (jeorne Pryse Campbel], and the Master, Mr. James Kerr, of
the BelriUera, siieoially distinguislied themselves. (Uyrou'-s Disj).) — W. I.. C.
' Africa, G4, Slmnnon, 38, Belvidera, 3IJ, and Jiolus, 32, subseiiuenlly leiiil'orced
by tlie Ouerriere, 38. The squadron left Halifax on July 5th. — W. L. I'.
32 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, isii.'-15. [1812.
Captain Eichard Hawkins ; and she captured the British ship-sloop
Alert, 16/ Commander Thomas Lamb Poldeu Laugharne, after an
exchange of broadsides, made prize of eight merchantmen, and then
returned to New York."
On July 12th another ship, destined to become one of the most
famous in the American navy, put out of the Chesapeake. This
was the 44-gun frigate Constitution, affectionately known as " Old
Ironsides." She was commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, than
whom there was no better single ship commander in the service.
Her crew was almost entirely new, drafts of men coming on board
up to the last moment ; but they were of excellent stuff, being
almost all native Americans, cool, handy, intelligent, and eager to
learn their duties. Under the care of the experienced officers and
under-officers they were got into shape as men-of-war's men without
the slightest trouble. Just before starting, Hull wrote to the
Secretary of the Navy : " The crew are as yet unacquainted with a
ship of war, as many have but lately joined, and have never been
on an armed ship before. . . . We are doing all we can to make
them acquainted with their duties, and in a few days we shall have
nothing to fear from any single-decked ship." ^
There was need of hurry. On the afternoon of July 16th, when
some leagues off Barnegat, Hull sighted Captain Broke's squadron,
which had just previously captured the American brig Nautilus, 1-1.
This squadron then consisted of the Shannon, 38, Captain Broke,
the Belvidera, 36, Captain Richard Byron, the Guerriere, 38, Captain
James Eichard Dacres (2), the Africa, 64, Captain John Bastard,
and the Jiolus, 32, Captain Lord James Nugent Boyle Bernards
Townshend. The Guerriere became separated from the rest of the
squadron, and the Constitution beat to action and stood toward her,
the wind being very light. The Guerriere also stood toward the
Constitution, but, early on the 17th, when only half a mile away,
she discovered the rest of the British squadron on her lee beam.
She signalled to these vessels, and they did not answer — a circum-
' The Alert was one of twelve colliers which had been purchased into the Navy
in 1804, and fitted with 18-pr. carrouades. In 1812 two only of these craft, the AleH
and the Avenger, remained on the list. In the brief action the Ahrt had three men
wounded. Laugharne, his Master, and his Purser were most honourabh' acquitted for
the loss of the ship; but the first lieutenant, Andrew Duncan, was dismissed the
service for misbehaviour. — W. L. C.
^ Navy Department MSS., ' Captains' Letters,' 1812, vol. ii.. No. 128, etc.
' Navy Department MSS., ' Captains' Letters,' 1812, ii. No. 85.
1«12.] CHASE OF THE "CONSTITUTION." 33
stance which afterwards caused a sharp controversy among the
Captains ; whereupon, conehiding that they were Commodore
Eodgers's squadron, she tacked and stood away from the Comtitu-
tion some time before discovering her mistake. It was now nearly
dayhght.
As morning broke all the British ships were in chase of the
Cuiistltiitiun, heading eastward. At 5.30 it fell entirely calm, and
Hull rigged four long 24's aft to serve as stern-chasers. At 6 a.m.
the SJiaiuion, the nearest frigate, tried a few shots, which fell short.
Then most of the boats of the squadron were got out to tow her,
and she began to gain on the American. Hull tried kedging. All the
spare rope was bent on to the cables and payed out into the cutters,
and a kedge was run out half a mile ahead and let go ; whereupon the
crew clapped on and walked away with the ship, overrunning and
tripping the kedge as she came up with the end of the line.' Mean-
while fresh lines and another kedge were carried ahead, and the
frigate glided away from her pursuers. From tune to time there
were little puffs of air, and every possible advantage was taken of
each. At one time the Gueiridre opened fire, but her shot fell
short. Later in the day the Bdindera, observing the benefit which
the Constitution had derived from warping, did the same, and,
having men from the other frigates to help him, she got near enough
to exchange bow and stern-chasers ; - but fear of the American guns
rendered it impossible for either the Belvidera or the Shannon to
tow very near.
The Constitution's crew showed most excellent spirit, the officers
and men relieving one another regularly, and snatching their sleep on
the decks. All through the afternoon and until late in the evening
llic tdwiiig and kedging went on, the British ships being bai-cly
out of gunshot. Then a light breeze sprang up, and, the sails of
the Constitution being handled with consummate skill, she gradually
drew away, and throughout the following day continued to gain.
Ill tlie evening there came on a heavy rain squall, of whicli 11 nil
took such skilful advantage that he greatly increased his lead. .\t
8.1.5 on the morning of the '20th, the l^ritish ships gave up the
pursuit. During the three days' chase Hull had shown skill and
seamanship as great as would be demanded by a successful battle,
and his men bud jirovcd their liardiiuiod. (lisci])linc. and readiness
' Cooper is the beht iiutlioiiiy lor tliit- diasc.
'' Marsliall's ' Naval Biogiaiiiiy,' ii. 020.
vol,. \l. D
34 THE WATI WITH THE VXITED STATES, 181:^-15. [1812
for work. If they could do as well with the guns as with the
sails, Hull's confidence in his ability to meet any single-decker
was more than justifiable ; and Hull was eager to try the experiment.
He did not have long to wait.
The Constitution put into Boston, and on August 6th made sail
to the eastward. Hull acted without orders from the Department,
for the administration was as yet uncertain as to whether it could
afford to risk its frigates in action. But Hull himself wished for
nothing so much as a chance to take the risk, and he knew that,
not being one of the senior officers, he would speedily be superseded
in the command of the Constitution. Accordinglj-, he sailed, right
in the track of the British cruisers, to the coast of Kova Scotia,
where the British fleet had its headquarters. In the afternoon of
the 19th, in latitude 40" 30' N. and .55" W., he made out a frigate
bearing E.S.E. and to leeward.^ She proved to be his old acquaint-
ance, the Giierriire, under Captain James Richard Dacres (2).* It
was a cloudy day, and the wind blew fresh from the N.^V. The
Gucrriere backed her maintopsail, and waited for the Constitution,
which shortened her sail to fighting rig, and ran down with the
wind nearly aft. The Guerriere was on the starboard tack, and at
5 o'clock she opened with her weather guns, the shot falling short.
She then wore round and fired her port broadside, the shot this
time passing over the Constitution.^ As she again wore to fire her
starboard battery, the Constitution yawed a little and fired two or
three of her port bow-guns. Three or four times the Guerriere
repeated this manoeuvre, wearing and firing alternate broadsides
with little or no effect ; while the Constitution 3'awed to avoid being
raked, and occasionally fired one of her bow-guns. The distance
was very great, however, and little or no damage was caused. At
6 o'clock the Guerriere bore up and ran off with the wind almost
astern on her port quarter mider her topsails and jib. The Constitu-
tion set her main-topgallantsail and foresail, and at 6.5 p.m. closed
within half pistol-shot distance on her adversary's port beam.* Then
for the first time the action began in earnest, each ship firing as
the guns bore. By 6. '20^ the two were fairly abreast, and the Con-
^ Letter of Captain Isaac Hull, Aug. 28th and 30th, 1812.
- Letter of Captain Dacres, Sept. 7th, 1812.
' Xavy Department MSS., ' Logbook of Constitution,' vol. ii.
■* ' Autobiograpliy of Commodore Morris,' p. IG-i.
* 6.5 P.M. by the Giierriere's time. — W. L. C.
1812.]
THE "CONSTITUTION" AND THE "GUEIih'IEh'E."
35
stitiifioii shot away the (iucrrivrc'.s inizenmast, wliich I'cll over the
starboard quarter, knockiut; a big hole in the counter, and brought
the ship round against her liehn. The British ship was being cut
AMKHICAN" COMMKMOrtATION Mr.DAl. 01' TIIK CAI'TUllK OK TIIK " i;rEIil(lKl!i: " IS 18TJ.
to pieces, while the American liad hardly siil'fci-cd at all. The Coii-
stitiifid/i, liiidiug that she was ranging aluitil, put lur liclni M|i(irt
and luffed slidi-t i-dund her enemy's hows, raiding her with tlie
starhiiai'd ;,'iiiis ; llien she woi'e. and again I'aked v\illi her [lort
1. -2
36 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
battery. The Englishman's bowsprit got foul of the American's
mizen-rigging, and the vessels then lay with the GuerrUre's star-
board bow against the Constitution's port quarter.^ The English-
men's bow-gmis played havoc with Captain Hull's cabin, setting
fire to it ; and on both sides the boarders were called away. The
British ran forward, but Captain Dacres relinquished the idea of
attacking when he saw the crowds of men on the American's
decks;- while the Constitution s people, though they gathered aft
to board, were prevented by the heavy sea which was running.
Both sides suffered heavily from the closeness of the musketry fire ;
indeed, it was at this time that almost the entire loss of the Con-
stitution occurred. In the Constitution, as Lieutenant William S.
Bush of the marines sprang upon the tafh-ail to leap on the Guerrieres
deck, a British marine shot him dead ; Charles Morris, the first heu-
tenant, and John C. Alwyn, the master, had also both leaped on the
taffrail, and both were at the same moment wounded by the musketry
fire. In the Guerriere almost all the men on the forecastle were
picked off. Captain Dacres himself was shot and womided by one
of the American mizentop men while he was standing on the star-
board forecastle hammocks cheering on his crew ; the first and
second lieutenants, Bartholomew Kent and Henry Eeady, and the
master, Eobert Scott, were also shot down. The ships gradually
worked round until they got clear. Immediately afterwards the
Guerrikre's foremast and mainmast went by the board, lea\'ing her
a defenceless hulk, roUing her main-deck guns into the water. At
6.30 the Constitution ran off for a little distance, and lay to until she
had repaired the damages to her rigging. Captain Hull then stood
under his adversary's lee, and the latter struck at 7 p.m., just two
hours after she had fired the first shot ; the actual fighting, however,
occupied but little over twenty-five minutes.
The Constitution was a very much heavier ship than the
Chierri&re. She carried thirty-two long 24's and twenty-two
32-pr. caiTonades, while the Guerrihre carried thirty long 18's, two
long 1'2's, and eighteen 32-pr. carronades ; the Constitution's crew
numbered 456 all told, while the Guerriere's numbered but 282,
and 10 of these were Americans, who refused to fight against
their countrymen, and whom Captain Dacres, very greatly to his
credit, permitted to go below. Fourteen of the Constitution's men
^ Cooper in Putnam's Miujazim; i. 475.
- Dacres's addreBs to the court-martial at Halifax.
I
1812.] BlilTISII OVER-CONFIDENCE. 37
and 79 of the Gucrricrea were killed or wounded.' The damage
done to the Constifutian was trifling, while the Guerriere was so
knocked to pieces that she had to be abandoned and burned by the
victors, who then set sail for Boston, which they reached on
August 30th. " Captain Hull and his officers," wrote Captain
Dacres, "have treated us like brave and generous enemies; the
greatest care has been taken that we should not lose the smallest
trifle."
Rarely has any single-ship action caused such joy to the victors,
such woe to the vanquished. The disparity of force between the
combatants was very nearly in the proportion of three to two.
Against such odds, when there was an approximate equality in
courage and skill, neither Dacres '^ nor any other captain in the
British Navy could hope to succeed. But hitherto the British had
refused to admit that there was or could be any equality of courage
and skill between them and their foes. Moreover, the disparity
in loss was altogether disproportionate to the disparity in force. No
one could question the gallantry with which the British ship was
fought ; but in gunnery she showed at a great disadvantage
compared to the American, and she was not handled with as much
judgment. Like all the other British captains on the American
coast, Dacres had been intensely eager to meet one of the large
American frigates, and no doubt of his success had crossed his mind.
British captains, in single-ship contests, had not been accustomed
to weigh too nicely the odds against them ; and in the twenty years
during which they had overcome the navies of every maritime
power in Europe they had repeatedly conquered in single fight
where the difference in force against them had been far heavier than
in this instance. This was the case when, in 1799, the British
38-gmi llS-pr. frigate Hihijl captured the French 44-gnn -il-iir.
frigate Forte; when, in 1805, the Phamix, 36, captured tlir
Didon, 40 ; when, in 1808, the San Fiorenzo, 3(5, captured the
Piedmontcune, 40; and in many other instances. The exultation
of the Americans was as natural as was the deprcission of the
British ; though both feelings were exaggerated.
' 'I'lie Oucrriire lost 15 killed, iinludiiiij; LicukMiiiiit Henry Heady, and 03
(<; mortally) wounded, including CapUiu ])acre«. Lieutenant Bartholomew Kent,
Master Robert Scott, Master's Mates Samuel Grant and William John Snow, and
Midshipman James Euslie.^W. L. C.
^ Captain Dacres was tried at Halifax on October 2nd, and, with his ollicers and
crew, imanimously and honourably .aoiuitted. — \V. I-. C.
38 THE WAl! WITH THE UXJTED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
Captain Hull owed his victory as much to superiority of force |
as to superiority of skill ; but iu the next sea fight that occui-red *
the decisive difierenee was in skill. On October 18th the American
18-gun ship-sloop ]]'as2), Captain Jacob Jones, mounting sixteen
3'2-pr. carronades and two long 1-2's, with 137 men all told,
sailed from the Delaware. She went south-eastward to get into i
the track of the "West India vessels ; and on the 16th ran into a
heavy gale in which she lost her jib-boom, and two men who were
on it. On the 17th the weather had moderated somewhat, and late
in the evening she descried several sails in latitude 37° N. and
longitude 65" W} These were a convoy of merchantmen guarded
by the British 18-gun brig-sloop Frolic, carr3-ing sixteen 32-pr.
carronades, two long 6's and two 1'2-pr. carronades, with a crew of
110 men. She was under the command of Commander Thomas
"WTiinyates, and had also suffered in the gale of the 16th, in which
her mainyard had been carried away.' The morning of the 18th was
almost cloudless, and the Wasj^ bore down on the convoy under
short fighting canvas ; while the Frolic hauled to the wind mider
her boom-mainsail and close-reefed foretopsail, the merchantmen
making all sail to leeward. At 11.30 a.m. the action began, the two
ships running parallel on the starboard tack ^^•ithin sixty yards
of one another, the Wasp firing her port and the Frolic her star-
boai'd guns. By degrees the ships fell off until they were almost
before the wind. There was a heavy sea running, which caused
the vessels to pitch and roll : and the two crews cheered loudly
as the ships wallowed through the water. Clouds of spray dashed
over both crews, and at times the muzzles of the guns were rolled
under ; ^ but in spite of the rough weather the batteries were well
served. The Frolic fired far more rapidly than the Wasp, delivering
three broadsides to her opponent's two, and shooting while on the
crests of the seas. The shot, in consequence, tended to go high. In
the Wasp the captains of the guns aimed with skill and precision, as
the engaged side of their ship was getting down. They therefore
fired into their opponent's hull; so that, though they fired fewer
shots, a much larger proportion hit. Four minutes after the action
began, the Wasp's maintopmast was shot away and fell with its yard
' Letter of Captain Jones, Nov. 21tli, 1812. The American letters can generally
be found iu ' Xiles's Register.'
2 Captain Whinyates' letter, Oct. IStb, 1812.
' ' Xiles's r.egister,' iii. 324.
1811'.]
nil-: ■■FimLic" ASD Till-: ■■ir^.s/v
39
across the port foretopsail braces, rendering the head-yards un-
manageable. Ten minutes later the gaff and niizen-topgallantmast
came down ; and twenty minutes after the action had begun, every
brace and most of the rigging was shot away, so that it was almost
AMEIUCAX COMMEMORATIUS MKDAI., IIY Sl'KNCKIi, OK TllK lAI'llllK ol' IIIK
" i-hoi.hV in ISli;.
impossible lu Ijracu any of the yard.s. ISut wink' the Wasp suffiTcd
thus aloft, the Frolic was suffering far lucirc licavily below. Her gaff
ami her heail Itraces were shot away, iiiul Iht Inwci- masts wdundcil ;
but her hull was cut to ])i<'ccs, Tlic slaugiilci' was very great
40 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
among her crew ; nevertheless, the survivors fought on with splendid
courage. Gradually the JVasp forged ahead, while the two vessels
drew closer together, so that at last the Americans stnack the
Frolic's side with their rammers in loading. The Frolic then fell
aboard her antagonist, her jibboom coming in between the main and
mizen-rigging of the Wasp, and passing over the heads of Captain
Jones and Lieutenant James Biddle as they stood near the capstan.
The brig was raked from stem to stern ; and in another moment
che Americans began to swarm along the Frolic's bowsprit, though
the roughness of the sea rendered the boarding very difficult. A
New Jersey sailor. Jack Lang, was the first man on the bowsprit.
Lieutenant Biddle then leaped on the hammock cloth to board ; but
one of the midshipmen who was following him seized his coat-tails
and tumbled him back on deck. At the next swell he succeeded in
getting on the bowsprit behind Jack Lang and another seaman, and
he passed them both on the forecastle ; but there was no one
to oppose him. Not twenty of the British were left unhurt, and
most of those were below. The man at the wheel was still at
his post, doggedly attending to his duty, and two or three more
were on deck, including Captain Whinyates and Lieutenant Frederick
Boughton Wintle, both so severely wounded that they could not
stand without support. It was impossible to resist longer, and
Lieutenant Biddle lowered the flag at 12.15, after three-quarters of
an hour's fighting.
A minute or two afterwards the Frolic's masts went by the
board. Every one of her officers was wounded, two of them mor-
tally.' The Wasp lost but ten men, chiefly aloft. Nevertheless,
the desperate defence of the Frolic in the end accomplished the
undoing of her foe, for in a few hours a British 74, the Poictiers,
Captain John Poo Beresford, hove in sight, and captured both victor
and vanquished, the Wasj) being too much cut up aloft to make her
escape.
The two ships were of practically equal force : in broadside the
British used ten guns to the American's nine, and threw a few
pounds more weight of metal, while they had twenty-five fewer
men. The disparity in loss was enormous. The Frolic was
' The Frolic went into action witli 110 men and boys all told on board. Of these,
15 were killed and 47 wounded, besides some who were slightly hurt. Among the
woumled were Commander 'Wlunyates, Lieutenants Charles M'Kay (mortally), and
Frederick Boughton Wintle, and Master John Stejiliens (mortally). — \V. L. C.
1812.] CRUISE OF THE "UNITED STATES." 41
desperately defended ; no men in any navy ever showed more
courage than Captain Whinyates and his crew. The battle was
decided by gunnery, the coolness and skill of the Americans, and
the great superiority in the judgment and accuracy with which
they lired, giving them the victory. Their skill was -rendered
all the more evident by the extreme roughness of the sea, which
might have been expected to prevent, and, in the case of the Frolic,
actually did prevent, very great accuracy of aim. In forty-five
minutes the American ship cut her antagonist to pieces, conquering
a foe who refused to admit defeat until literally unable to retm-n
a blow.
On October 8th Commander Rodgers left Boston, on his second
cruise, with the President, United States, Congress, and Argus.
Three days out they separated. The President and Congress cruised
together, nearly crossing the Atlantic, but did nothing more than
capture a dozen merchantmen, though they twice chased British
frigates— once the Nymphe, 38,' once the Galatea, 36.- They
returned to Boston on December 31st. The Argus got in about
the same time, having herself been chased for three days by a
British frigate.^ She had to start her water and cut away her
boats and anchors to escape ; but she kept her guns, and during
the chase actually succeeded in taking and manning a prize, though
the delay allowed the pursuer to get near enough to open tire as
the vessels separated.
The fourth ship of Rodgers's squadron met with greater luck.
This was the frigate United States, 44, Captain Stephen Decatur.
She was a sister ship to the Constitution, but mounted 4'2-pr.
carronades instead of 3'2's, and had a crew of 478 officers and men all
told. On October 2oth, in latitude 29^ N. and longitude 2'J' 30' \\ .,
she descried a sail on her weather-beam, twelve miles distant.* This
was tlu; liritish 38-gun frigate Macedonian, Captain John Surinam
Carden. Unlike the G'^e/vie/r, which had been captured tVdin the
French, she was a new oak-built ship, rather larger than any of the
American 18-pr. frigates. She carried a crew of 301 men all told.
Her armament was like the (lucrrierc's, except that she had two
' Captain Faniiery I'rudam lOpwurth. 'I'lie Nymphe was sighted .ind cliaHt-d mi
October 10th.— VV. L. C.
' Caiitain Woodley Losack. Tlie Qalatai was siglitcd on October JSlot. — W. L. C.
" Letter of Captain Arthur Sinclair, Jan. 4th, 1813.
* Letter of Captain Decatur, Oct. .'JOth, IH12.
42
THE WAI! WITH THE V SITED STATES, 1812-15.
[1812.
long 18"s fewer on the main-deck, and two long 9's extra on the
spar-deck. Like the Giierriere, she had an 18-pr. carronade extra,
so that she presented twenty-five guns in broadside, throwing
547 pounds of shot; while the United States had twenty-seven guns
in broadside, throwing nominally 846 pounds of shot, although
owing to the short weight of metal the actual broadside was probably
under 800.
C.\PT.\IS STEPHKX DECATUlt, JL'N., U.S.X.
CFrom A, B. DiinuiiTfi *'uijrai'imj of thr jinrlrnit hii T. SttUr/.i
The Macedonia)! was reputed to be a crack ship. Captain
Garden had exercised every care to gather a crew of picked, first-rate
men. He had also taken every opportunity to get rid of all the
shiftless and slovenly seamen. Both he himself and his first
Heutenant, David Hope, were merciless disciplinarians, and kept
the crew in order by the unsparing use of the lash, in which thej-
seemed positivelj' to delight. They were feared even more than
1812.] THE ''MACEDnXlAN" AND THE ''UNITED STATED." 43
they were hated, and the disciphne ol' the sliip was seemingly
perfect ; hut they made the men under them detest the service.'
Lieutenant Hope said afterwards that the state of disciphne on
hoard was excellent ; and that in no British ship was more attention
paid to gunnery.'- The results of the action showed, however, that
the discipline was that of a martinet, and that in intelligence and
judgment the gunners of the Macedonian could not compare with
those in the United States, where the sailors w^ere admirably drilled,
and yet were treated so humanely that the captured crew speedily
wished to enlist among them.
Captain Garden knew nothing of the defeat of the Guerritire, and
was most anxious to engage the United States. Once, while at
Norfolk before the war, he and Decatur had met and joked one
another as to which ship would win if they met in battle. The
Macedonian's people were entirely confident of victory, although
among the crew there was a generally expressed wish that the
antagonist were a French, instead of an American, frigate, because
they knew that they could whip the French, and they had learned
from the Americans on ].)oard that the Yankee frigates carried heavy
metal.
Of these American seamen there was a considerable number
among the crew of the Macedonian. A British seaman, who served
long on the Macedonian, in writing out his reminiscences in after-
life, gave a vivid picture of how they happened to be on board. In
one place he described the work of the press-gang at a certain port,
adding " among (the impressed men) were a few Americans ; they were
taken without respect to their protections, which were often taken
from them and destroyed ; some were released through the influence
of the American Consul ; others, less fortunate, were carried to sea,
to their no small chagrin." When the ship was at Norfolk, as already
mentioned, the sailors were denied all liberty to get on shore for fear
lest they should desert. " Many of our crew were Americans ;
some of these were pressed men ; others were much dissatisfied with
the severity, not to say cruelty, of our discipline ; so tliat a uniltiludc
' 'Tliirly Vcai> I'nuii lldiiic, (ir ;i Vuicf I'nmi llic Main-deck, being the E.\))erieiicf i>l"
Saiimel Leucli,' lil'twiitli ciUtinii, 1847, jip. Sli, ili), etc. Leech was aii Kuglisliiiian
who was a saihjr in tlie Mnn-ddnian ; ho at'leiwanlB entcieil tlie Tnited Stales service,
with otlieis of the Macnhmiaii's crew. He belonged to the Uritisli XonconforMiiHt typo,
which has so many points in common willi tlie average American citizen. lli»
rambling reminiscences are liy no means without value.
* Marshall's ' Navy Biography,' ii. 1018.
44 THE WAli WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
of the crew were read}- to give leg-bail, as they termed it, could they
have planted their feet on American soil." ^ Before going into action
some of these Americans requested permission not to fight against
their countrj'men ; but Captain Garden, unlike Captain Dacres,
refused to grant this permission, and ordered them to the guns
under penalty of death. One or two of them were killed in the
action. The crew of the United States was mainlj' composed of
native Americans, but among the foreigners on board there were
a number of Englishmen, as well as many Americans, who had
served in the British fleet. ^ All did their duty equally well.
As soon as it was evident what the United States was, the
Macedonian beat to quarters, the bulkheads were knocked away,
the guns were cast loose, and in a few minutes all was ready. In
the excitement of the battle the men forgot their wTongs, real and
fancied, and went into action in good spirits ; and throughout the
fight they continued to cheer heartily. The junior midshipmen were
stationed below on the berth-deck with orders to shoot any man
who ran from his quarters ; and the captain exhorted the men to
show fidelity and courage, quoting Nelson's famous words, " England
expects every man to do his duty."^
The Macedonian then bore down toward the United States,
which stood toward her with the wind a little forward of the port-
beam. Captain Garden, from over-anxiety to keep the weather-
gage,* hauled by the wind, and passed far to windward of the
' Leech, i^p. 80, 102.
^ "That Britons were opposed to Britons in the Macedoinan action is no less true
than lamentable. Most of her gallant defenders recognised old shipmates in the British
Navy among those who had fought under the American flag. We have already stated
that a quartermaster discovered his first cousin in the j^erson of a traitor Two other
seamen met with brothers from whom they had been long separated ; and Mr. James,
in his ' Xaval History,' informs us that an officer's servant, a young lad from London,
named AVilliani Hearne, found his own brother among the United State' crew. . .
It is also worthy of remark that many of the guns on board the United States were
named after British ships, and some of our most celebrated naval commanders. Captain
Garden, observing ' Victory ' painted on the ship's side over one port, and ' Nelson
over another, asked Commodore Decatur the reason of so strange an anomaly. He
answered : ' The men belonging to those guns served many years with Lord Nelson,
and in the Victory. The crew of the gun named ' Nelson ' were once bargemen to that
great chief. . . .' "" — Marshall : ' Nav. Biog.' ii. 1019. But it does not necessarily
follow that men who had served with Nelson were British subjects ; and it is admitted
on both sides that before 1812 very many Americans had served with honour in the
British Navy.— W. L. C.
' Leech, 127, etc.
' Sentence of court-martial lield on board the San Domingo, 74, at Bermuda,
May 27th, 1813.
1812.] SURRENDER <iF THE ''MACEDONIAN." 45
American. Decatur eased off and fired a broadside, which fell
short; he then held his luff, and, the next time he fired, his long
main-deck guns, the only ones used, told heavily. The Englishman
responded %\-ith his long 18's, but soon found that at long bowls the
American had the advantage, not only in weight of metal, but also in
rapidity of fire, for the broadsides of the United States were delivered
almost twice as fast as those of the Macedonian} Captain Garden
soon altered his mind and tried to close ; but he had lost his chance
by keeping his wind in the first place, and, when he bore up and
down with the wind on his port-quarter, he exposed himself to heavy
punishment. The United States at 10.15 a.m. led her maintopsail
aback and used her whole port broadside. The British ship replied
with her starboard guns, hauling up to do so, while the American
alternately eased off and came to, keeping up a terrific fire. The
guns of the Macedonian caused some damage to the American's
rigging, but hardly touched her hull, while Garden's ship sufl'ered
heavily both below and aloft, and her decks began to look like
slaughter-pens. The British sailors fought like tigers — some
stripped to the shirt, others to the naked skin. Those who were
killed outright were immediately thrown overboard. One man, who
was literally cut almost in two by a shot, was caught as he fell by
two or three of his shipmates, and, before the last flicker of life
had left him, was tossed into the sea. Lieutenant Hope showed
that, though a cruel task-master, he at least possessed undaunted
courage. He was wounded, but as soon as the wound was dressed
retui7ied to the deck, shouting to the men to fight on ; and he alone
advised against striking the flag, preferring to see the ship sink
beneath him.^ The Macedonian gradually dropped to leeward, while
the American forereached until the firing ceased. Finding herself
ahead and to windward, the United States tacked and ranged up
under the Macedo)iian's lee, at 11.15, when the latter struck her
colours, an hour after the action began.
The United States had suffered very little. Some of her spars
were wounded, and the rigging was a good deal cut up ; but her hull
had not been touched more than two or three times. As the ships
were never close enough to be within fair range of grape and
musketry, only a dozen of her men were killed and wounded. The
Macedonian, on the other hand, had received over a hundred siiots
' JameH, vi. IGU. ^ Leech, 131.
46 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, ].S12-15. [1812.
in her hull : her mizenmast and her fore and maintopmasts were
shot away, and on the engaged side all her carronades but two,
and two of her main-deck guns, were dismounted, while one
hundred and four ' of the crew were either killed or wounded. -
When the Americans came on board to take possession, the British
crew, maddened by the sight of their dead comrades, heated with
the fury of the battle, and excited by rum they had obtained from
the spirit-room, evinced a tendency to fight their captors. But the
latter showed so much good humour, and set to work with such
briskness to take care of the wounded and put the ship to rights,
that the two crews soon became the best of friends, and ate, drank,
sang, laughed, and yarned together with hearty goodwill. A rather
unexpected result was that the majority of the captive crew soon
showed a disposition to enlist in the American navy, especially when
they found out how much more kindly the seamen were treated in
the American ships. The Americans, however, not only refused to
enlist them, but also kept close guard over them to prevent their
escape, as it was wished to send them to England in a cartel to
exchange for American prisoners.^ However, in one way or another
most of them managed to get away, a few only venturing to enlist
in the American navy, as death would naturally be their portion if
they were recaptured and recognised by the British.
Decatur discontinued his cruise to take back his prize to
the United States. He reached New London in safety, and the
Macedoyiian became part of the American navy.
In this fight the Macedonian's only superiority over the United
States was speed. In force she was very much inferior, about in
the proportion of three to two, so that only marked superiority in
seamanship and gunnery could have given her the victory. As a
matter of fact, however, the superiority was the other waj'. Decatur
handled his ship faultlessly, and ^yilliam Henry Allen, first lieu-
tenant of the United States, had trained the men to the highest
' The killed numbered 38, including Boatswain James Holmes, Master's Mate
Thomas James Nankivel, and Mr. Dennis Colwell, schoolmaster. Among the
68 wounded were Lieutenants David Hope and John Bulfonl, Master's Mate Henry
Eoebuck, Midshipman George Greenwa}', and Mr. Francis Baker, first-class volunteer.
Captain Garden and his officers and men, upon trial for the loss of the ship, were most
honourably acquitted, the court specially commending Garden's gallantry, and the good
conduct and discipline of all concerned. — W. L. C.
2 Captain Garden's Letter, Oct. 28th, 1812.
^ Leech. He is the authority for most of the incidents of the action, as seen from
the Macedoyiian.
1S12.] DEFECTIVENESS OF BIIITISII GUNNERY. 47
point of efficiency in the use of the ^'un.s. The ^un practice of the
Macedonian's crew was apparently poor, but this was probably as
much the fault of the Captain as of the gunners, for he first kept
off too far, so as to give all possible advantage to the •24-pounders of
the Americans, and then made liis attack in such a manner as to
allow his skilful adversaries to use their guns to the best advantage.
The Macedonian was bravely fought, and was not surrendered until
there was no hope of success left. Still, the defence was not so
desperate as that of the Essex, nor indeed did the ship lose so
heavily as the Java or Chesapeake. Captain Carden had bravely
encomitered heav}' odds, for during the preceding twenty years the
traditions of the British Navy had taught him that it was possible
to wan against such odds. This had been proved scores of times in
single figlit at the expense of the French, the Spaniards, the Dutch,
the Danes, and the Turks. But only a real superiorit}' in skill could
have warranted the effort. An eminent British officer. Sir Howard
Douglas, sums up the action very justly, though he ascribes wluilly
to inferior gunnery what should be in part ascribed to lack of
judgment on the side of the commanding officer. He says : —
"As a display of courage the cliaracter (jf tlie service was nobh' upheld; but we
would be deceiving ourselves were we to admit that the comparative expertness of the
crews in gunnery was equalh' satisfactory. Now, taking the difference of effect as
given by Captain Carden, we must draw this conclusion — that the comparative loss in
killed and wounded (10-1 to 12), together with the dreadful account he gives of the
condition of his own ship, while he admits that the enemy's vessel was in comparatively
good order, must have arisen from inferiority in gunnery, as well as in force."
Elsewhere the same writer comments upon the dangers to which
encounters with skilful opponents exposed captains who had been
led liy repeated triumphs over men of inferior discipline ;ni(l abiliiy
to feel that defeat was out of (juestion, and to " contemn ;ill
man(j!uvring as a sign of timidity." It was the old lesson uf the
ill effects of over-confidence, complicated by the effects of follow-
ing under wrong conditions the course wliich a great man had
followed under right ones. Timid mamiaivring was an eiror,
especiall}' in the presence of an unskill'ul or inferior foe; and it was
to such manoeuvring that Nelson alluded when — or if — he said.
" Never njiml niamouvring — go at them." Nelson knew very wi'll
when to mann'uvre and when not to, and his own genius and the
skill of his captains and seamen enabled him to defy heavy odds.
But it was a very different thing for would-be imitators of Nelson's
48 THE WAU WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
tactics who lacked his genius, and who had to encounter superiority
in skill as well as superiority in physical force.
On October 26th ' the Coustitiition, Captain William Bainbridge
and the Hornet, Captain James Lawrence, sailed; and, after cruising
to and fro, arrived off San Salvador on December 13th. There
they found a British ship of twenty guns, the Bonne Citoyenne,
Captain Pitt Burnaby Greene, ahnost exactly of the Hornet's force,
and Lawrence challenged her captain to single fight, the Con-
.ttitution giving the usual pledges not to interfere. The challenge
was refused, for a variety of reasons ; among others, because the
Bonne Citoyenne was carrying home half a million pounds in specie.
Leaving the Hornet to blockade her, Bainbridge ran off to the
southward.
At 9 A.M. on December '29th, while the Constitution was running
along the coast of Brazil about thirty miles off shore, in latitude
1^" 6' S. and longitude 32^ W.,- she made out the British frigate
Java, Captain Henry Lambert, inshore and to westward.^ The Java
at once bore down in chase, while the Constitution stood toward
her on the starboard tack.* The Java was of the same strength as
the Guerriere, except that she had a crew of about four hundred
men,^ and carried two long guns less, and two carronades more.**
The Constitution had sent ashore two of her carronades, and had four
hundred and seventy-five men in her crew.
The Java was much the swifter ship, for the weak point in all
' James says that the Conslitutlon and Hornet left Boston on October 30th. —
W. L. C.
- James (vi. 126) gives the time of sighting as 2 p.m. (an obvious erroi-), and the
position as hit. 13° 6' S., long. 30° ^V.— W. L. C.
^ Letter of Captain Bainbridge, Jan. 3rd, 1813.
* Letter of Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads, Dec. 31sf, 1812.
^ James explains that on August ITtli, 1812, the Java, 38 (ex-Betiommee), had
been commissioned at Portsmouth to carry to Bombay the newly-appointed governor,
Lieut.-General Hislop and a su]iply of stores ; and says that her ship's company
included about GO raw Irish landsmen, and 50 disatiected seamen from the Coqudtf, 18,
besides a considerable number of Marine Society boys — in all, 397 persons of every
description, mainly inexperienced. She had sailed from Spithead on November 12th,
in charge of two Indiamen, and, on December 12th, had captured the American
merchantman William, into which she had put a prize crew of 20, all told. The
Indiamen had afterwards parted company, and the Java had put into San Salvador
for water. — W. L. 0.
^ See Roosevelt's 'Naval War of 1812,' p. 12G, for full discussion of the figures
given above. The official accounts coutrailict one another flatly. The reason for the
great number of men aboard the Java was because she was carrying part of the crews
for three other British ships.
1S12.] THE "JAVA"' AND THE "CONSTITUTION." 49
the American 44's was their lack of speed. In point of phj'sical force
the combatants stood more nearly on an equality than in either of
the other frigate duels, the odds being about five to four, or
rather less — odds which were a heavy handicap to the Java, but
which were not sucla as to render the contest by any means hopeless
if the weaker party were even slightly superior in skill and fighting
efficiency.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBBIDGE, U.S.N.
(_Froin G. Pnrh'fs fii'jrcning, after the portrait hit .7. W. Jarvix )
The Constitution stood away from the land towards the S.E.,
while the Java made sail on a parallel course to windward, aixl
gained rapidl}'. At half-past one the Constitution shortened lior
canvas to fighting rig, and ran easily off on the port tack. The Java
also shortened sail, and came down off the wind toward bor
adversary's weather (juartcr. The colours of the two ships floated
from every mast in proud defiance, the decks were cleared to fighting
trim, and the men stood ready at quarters. At '2 p.m. they opened
VOL. VI. E
50 THE WAI; WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
fire at long range, the Biitish with the lee and the Americans with
the weather guns. The firing was very spirited, and at the
beginning the ships suiiered about equall}', for the first broadside
of the Java was well aimed, killing and wounding several of the
Constitution s crew. The Englishman kept edging down until he
got well within range of grape and musketry. Being swifter, he
soon forereached, intending to wear across his antagonist's bow and
rake him ; but Bainbridge anticipated the movement, and himself
wore in the smoke. The two antagonists again ran oft' side by side,
with the wind on their starboard beams, the Englishman still
a-weather, and steering freer than the Constitution, which had luft'ed
to close.' The action went on at pistol-shot distance ; but in a few
minutes the Java again forged ahead out of the weight of her
adversary's fire, and then kept oft" as before ; and, as before, the Con-
stitution avoided this by wearing, both ships once more coming round
with their heads to the east, the American still to leeward. The
Java kept the advantage of the wind, and still forereached a little ;
and she sought to rake the Constitution as the latter from time to
time luft'ed in the endeavour to close ; but after the first broadside
or two her gunnery had fallen off. Most of the loss which she
inflicted was inflicted early in the action.
Bainbridge, finding that his foe outsailed him, and that he was
therefore constantly in danger of being raked, set the Constitution's
foresail and mainsail, and came up close on the Java's lee beam.
The weight of his fire then told heavily, and among other losses the
Java's jib-boom and the end of her bowsprit were carried away.
The Constitution in her turn forged ahead, and again wore on the
smoke. The Java hove in stays, but the loss of her headsail made
her fall off very slowly ; and the American frigate, passing across
her stern two cable-lengths away, raked her heavily. As the Java
fell off she rephed with her port guns, and the two vessels bore
up, and ran oft' with the wind nearly aft, the Java still to windward.
She was suffering heavily, and the Constitution very Httle. The
ships were well within musketry range, and the British lost many
men by the fire from the American topmen, and still more from the
round and grape ; but the crew showed no signs of flinching, and
fought on hke tigers. Captain Lambert saw that he was beaten at
the guns, and that he was being cut to pieces both below and aloft ;
' Kavy Departmental MSS., Log of Constitution.
1H12.] SURRENDEH OF THE "JAVA." 51
and he resolved to try boarding. The hehii was put a-weather, and
the Java came down for the Constitution s main-chains. The
boarders and Marines gathered in the gangways and on the fore-
castle, the boatswain having been ordered to cheer them with his
pipe that they might make a clean spring.* But boarding was a
hazardous experiment to try against an enemy not already well
beaten at the guns. As the Java came down, the Americans raked
her with terrible effect, taking out her foremast and maintopmast.
The stump of the Java's bowsprit caught in the Constitution's
mizen-rigging, and she was raked again, while the American marines
and topmen, by their steady fire, prevented any effort to board.
Finally the ships got clear ; and once again they ran off abreast.
Again the Constitution forereached, and, wearing, luffed up under
the Java's quarter, raked her with the starboard guns, and wore
again, recommencing the action with her port battery. Once more
the vessels were abreast, and the action went on as furiously as ever,
the Java refusing to acknowledge defeat. The vweck of her top-
hamper lay over her starboard side, taking fire every few minutes ;
and at that time her able and gallant commander was mortally
wounded by a ball fired by one of the American maintop men.'-
Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads then took the command, though
painfully wounded. The British sailors continued to fight with un-
daunted resolution, cheering lustily; but nothing could stand against
the cool precision of the Yankee fire. The decks of the Java looked
like a slaughter-house ; one by one her masts fell ; her guns were
silenced; and she lay a sheer hulk on the water, when, at 4.5 p.m.,
the Constitution, thinking that her adversary had struck, ceased
firing and passed out of action to windward. There she spent
an hour in repairing damages and securing her masts ; then, in
practically as good condition as ever, she stood towards her foe,
who stnick his flag.
The American ship had suffered but little either in hull or alol't,
and, after an hour of repairs, was again in good fighting trim.
Thirty-four of iier crew were; kilk'd or WDunded,^ for tiie Jara iiad
been more skilfully handled and more stubbornly fought than either
the Guerricre or the Macrdnuian. Tlic British ship was a riddk'd and
' Aliimtfs of court - iiiartiiil ]\M on l«ianl II. M.S. Gladiator, PortHiiioutli,
Ajiril 2;;rcl, 1813.
^ Keixirt of the Surgeon of the Jm'a.
' Keport of tlie Surgeon of the ConMitution.
i; '2
52 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812.
dismasted hulk. "The Java sustained unequalled injiuies beyond
the Constitution," ran the statement of one of her officers.^ One
hundred and twenty-four of those on board her were killed or
wounded.'- Captain Bainbridge reported that the Java was " ex-
ceedingly well handled and bravely fought," and paid a deserved
tribute to the worth and bravery of Captain Lambert ; ^ while
Lieutenant Chads in his report stated that " our gallant enemy
has treated us most generously," and Lieutenant- General Hislop
presented Bainbridge with a handsome sword. Owing to the dis-
tance from home, the Java was destroyed, and the Constitution
presently returned to the United States.
The fight was remarkable becaiise of the rather complicated
nature of the manoeuvres, and the skill with which they were
performed. As regards the tactical ability with which the ships
were handled, there was nothing to choose ; and certainly no men
could have fought more gallantly than the Java's crew ; but there
was a very great difference in the comparative efficiency- of the
two crews as fighting machines, especially in gunnery. The differ-
ence in the damage done was utterly out of proportion to the
difference in force. Probably the material of the Constitution s crew
was slightly better than that of the Java, for the seafaring folk from
among whom it was recruited were peculiarly handy and resourceful,
and they enlisted freely in the American ships, regarding the quarrel
as peculiarly their own ; while the British frigates were manned by-
pressed men from many different sources, who were full of fight, but
who had little cause to love their task-masters. The main reason
for the difference in fighting efficiency, however, was that one crew
' ' Kaval Chronicle,' xxix. 432.
- The Java went into action with a crew of 377 all told, including supernumeraries,
. 20 others having been sent on board the William. Of these, 22 were killed, and
102 wounded. Among the killed were Master's Mates Charles Jones, Thomas
Hammond, and William Gascoigne, Midshipmen William Salmond and Edward Keele,
and Clerk (supernumerary) Thomas Joseph Matthias. Among the wounded were
Captain Henry Lambert (who died on January 4th, 1813), Lieutenant Henry Ducie
Chads, Master Batty Eobinson, Second Lieutenant David Davies, R.M., Boatswain
James Humble, and four Midshipmen, besides, among the supernumeraries, Commander
John Marshall, Lieutenant James Saunders, Master's Mate William Brown, and
General Hislop's aide-de-camp. Midshipman Keele, who was only thirteen years of
age, was not killed outright, but died in a few hours. Mr. Humble lost a band, and
had a wound near the elbow, but, after having a tourniquet put on, returned to his
duty.— W. L. C.
^ Captain Henrj- Lambert had received his post commission on April 10th, 180.0.
— W. L. C.
1813.] THE "PEACOCK" AND THE "HORNETS 53
had been carefully trained, and the other had not. The Java's
crew had been on board her six weeks, and, when the Constitution
fought her first battle, the crew had been on board her only five
weeks ; but the Constitution's crew from the very ])eginning were
incessantly practised in firing, both with blank cartridges and also
at a target; whereas the Java, during the entire six weeks, had tired
but six broadsides, all of blank cartridges, and her crew had been
exercised only occasionally even in pointing the guns. Thtis the
Americans were trained to shoot with a precision entirely foreign to
their opponents. Moreover, they were better trained to play difiVrcnt
parts, so that, for instance, the sudden loss of a gmi captain did not
demoralise the rest of the crew, who were able immediately to supply
his place from among themselves. The petty officers, also, among
the Americans were better paid than in the British ships, and were
of a better class ; and the American ofiicers showed greater zeal and
intelligence in getting their men into order, and in drilling them in
the essentials, never losing sight of the fact that efficiency in fighting
was the first consideration, to which all considerations of show
came second.
The Hornet continued to blockade the Bonne Citoijenne until
January ■i4th, lal3, the latter still refusing to fight and jeopardise
the treasure she had on l^oard. Then the Montagu, 74,' arrived,
and the Hornet, under cover of the darkness, stood out to sea. She
made a few prizes, one of much value. On February 24th, 1813, near
the mouth of the Demerara Kiver, Captain Lawrence, being near
shore, discovered a man-of-war brig lying at anchor; ami while
beating roiuid Caroband bank in order to get at her, he discovered
another man-of-war brig edging down on his weather quarter.'-
Both were British. The one at anchor was the Espieijle, of sixteen
32-pr. carronades, and two 6 prs.. Commander John Taylor (1) ; tlie
other was the Peacock, Commander William Peake, which for some
unknown reason had exchanged her ;32-pr. carronades for 24's.'
She had left the Espihjle's anchorage that morning at ten o'clock.
The Hornet at once turned to attack the newcomer, being anxious
to get rid of her before her companion inside the bar could come to
her assistance.
' Caiitaiii Mauley Hall Dixon, bearing tlie flag of Hear- Admiral Mauley Dixon
commanding ou llio lira/.ilian statiim. — W. L. C
* LeUer of Caiitain Lawrence, JIareli 'JOtli, 1813.
' James, vi. 11)4 (Ed. 1«37).
54 THE KATt WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
At 4.20 P.M. the Peacock hoisted her colours, and the Hornet beat
to quarters and cleared for action. Lawrence kept close hauled to
get the weather-gage. When he was sure that he could weather the
enemy, he tacked at 5.10 and stood toward her, hoisting his colours.
The ship and the brig were now both on the wind — the Hornet on
the starboard, and the Peacock on the port, tack. At 5.25 the}'
exchanged broadsides as they passed one another, but a few yards
distant, in opposite directions, the Americans firing their lee, and the
British their weather guns, as they bore. The contrast in the
gunnery of the two crews was almost absurd. As the British were
using the weather battery, the guns, unless somewhat depressed,
were sure to throw the shot high, and for this the crews made no
allowance. Not a shot penetrated the Hornet's hull, the entire
broadside passing through the rigging. One of her men in the
mizen-top was killed by a round shot, and two in the main-top were
wounded ; ' a few ropes were cut, the foremast was wounded, and
some holes were made in the sails ; but her fighting efficiency was
not impaired in the slightest degree. On the other hand, the
Hornet's guns, being fired from the lee side of the ship, naturally
shot low, and her men aimed as if at drill, ahnost every shot striking
the Peacock's hull, while, inasmi;ch as the Peacock was heeled over,
many of them struck below the water-line, making holes through
which the water gushed in torrents as soon as the brig was again
on an even keel
When the two vessels were clear. Captain Peake put his helm
hard up and wore, firing his starboard guns ; but Lawrence had
watched him closely, and himself bore up, and at 5.35 ran the English-
man close aboard on the starboard quarter. Another broadside,
added to the musketry fire, did the business. Captain Peake fell ;
and at 5.39, - just fourteen minutes after the first shot, the Peacock
surrendered. Immediately afterwards her main-mast went by the
board, and she began to settle, hoisting her ensign union down as a
signal of distress. Both vessels cast anchor ; and Lieutenant
Shubrick, being sent on board the prize, reported her sinking.
Lieutenant Connor was then sent in another boat to try to save
the brig ; but though the captors threw the guns overboard, plugged
the shot holes, and worked the pumps, the water gained so rapidly
' Navy Departmental MSS., Logbook of Hvrnet, Wasp, .and Argus, 1S09-1813.
^ British accounts, and James, make the action to have lasted from 5.25 to
5.50 P.M.— W. L. C.
1813.] SINKING OF THE "FEAOOCK." 55
that the attempt was abandoned, and the Hornet's officers used what
remained of the lading tropical twiHght in removing the wounded
and prisoners. Just as dark fell the brig suddenly sank, in water
which was so shallow that her foi'ctop remained above the surface.
There was, of course, much confusion. Three of the Hornet's men
and nine prisoners went down with the Peacock. Four other
prisoners lowered the stern -boat and escaped unobserved to the land,
while four more saved themselves by running up the rigging into
the foretop. Lieutenant Connor and the rest of the Hornet's men
who were on board, and the remainder of the Peacock's crew, who
had not been shifted, escaped by jmuping into the launch which
was lying on the booms, and paddling her towards the ship with
pieces of boards.
Seven of the Hornet's men and six of the Peacock's were on
the sick list, leaving-^fit for action one hundred and thirty-five of the
former,* and one hundred and twenty-two of the latter.- The
Hornet carried twenty, and the Peacock nineteen^ guns, each
presenting ten in broadside ; but, as already mentioned, the Peacock's
carronades were 24's, and the Hornet's 32's. There was a very real
disparity in force, but in this particular instance the disparity in
force in no way affected the result. The Peacock's guns simply did
not hit, so that their calibre was a matter of no possible consequence.
The Hornet was hardly scratched, and lost but three men, all aloft ;
while the Peacock was sunk in fourteen minutes, nearly one-third of
her crew being killed or wounded.* She was bravely fought, but
her gunnery was phenomenally bad. It appears that she had long
been known as " the yacht " on iu;couiit of the tasteful arrangement
of her deck. The breechings of the carronades were lined with white
canvas, and nothing could exceed in ])riliiaiicy the polish upon the
traversing bars and elevating screws.^ Of course, a slovenly ship
does not often make a good fight, for slovenliness is an indication of
laziness, carelessness, and inefliciency ; l)ut man— and above all the
fighting man— shall not hve by neatness alone, nor yet merely by
' Letter of Liciitcii.int Connor, April 2Gtli, 1813.
^ Letter of Lieutenant Frederick Augustus Wri;;!!!, April I'.itli, ISi:'..
' Accordini; to James, tlie Fracoc/c niounteil only sixteen •J4-pr. c:irron:uies, an.l
two long G-iirs., and had nine, not ten, guuH in broadside. — W. L. C.
' Of her crew of l'_".i men ami boys, the Fnicock had live killed, incduding Com-
mander Peako, a Connnander of .January lilst, IHOG, iiud 33 wounded, threo niortuUy.—
W. L. C.
' James, vi. lill (Ed. 1837).
56 THE WATi WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
precision in the performance of duties not connected with the actual
shock of arms. Commander Peake had committed the not un-
common mistake of confounding the incidents and the essentials of
discipUne.
Throughout the fight the Espidgle was but four miles distant/
and was plainly visible from the Hornet ; but for some reason, which
never was inWy explained, her Commander did not obsei-s'e anything,
and knew nothing of the action until the next day. Lawrence, of
course, took it for granted that he must know, and would shortly
come out ; and, by nine o'clock in the evening, new sails had been
bent on, and the decks cleared, so that the Hornet was again ready
for action. She was then, however, overcrowded with people and
short of water, and, as the Espidgle showed no signs of coming out,^
the Hornet stood for home, which she reached in March. On their
arrival at New York the officers of the Peacock published a card
expressing their aptpreciation of the way in which they and their
men had been treated. The note ran in part, " We ceased to con-
sider ourselves prisoners, and everything that friendship could dictate
was adopted by you and the officers of the Hornet to remedy
the inconvenience we would otherwise have experienced from the
unavoidable loss of the whole of our property and clothes owing
to the sudden sinking of the Peacock." ^
So far the American navy had achieved success beyond what
any one could have either hoped for or dreaded, and the British
government had paid dearly for its contemptuous disregard of the
power of the United States at sea. It was utterly unprepared for
the skill and energy shown by the Americans. More ships of the
' Upon this point there is, however, a conflict of evidence. Lieutenant Frederick
Augustus AV right, of the Peacock, testified that the Espiigh' " was not visible from the
look-outs stationed at the Peacock's mastheads for some time previous to the commence-
ment of the action." James, too, says (vi. 194, ed. 1837) : " The wreck of the Peacock was
visible for a long time after the action, and bore from Point Spirit, which is about six
miles to the eastward of the entrance to Demerara river, N.E. by E. ; making the
distance between the Espiegle and Peacock, during the action, nearly 24 miles." —
W. L. C.
- Commander John Taylor (1), of the Espiegle, was tried at Portsmouth, in 1814,
on various charges, and was, in consequence, dismissed the service; but though tlie
charges included a count of having failed in his duty when he was in pmrsuit of the
Hornet, it was held that that particular charge was not proved. Commander Taylor
was reinstated, as " the junior Commander," in 1817. (Marshall, iv., pt. iii. 537, and
the Navy Lists.) — W. L. C.
' This and the other letters are given in full in ' Niles's Itegister ' for this and the
following months.
1813.] AMElilCAN FHIVATEEBS. 57
line and frigates were gradually assembled on the American coast ;
but, during the first eight months or thereabouts, no effective
blockade was established, and the American cruisers slipped in .
and out as thej^ wished. The British picked up a couple more
American brigs, the Viper and the Vixen,^ and captured many
American merchantmen, but tbis was all.
The offensive powers of the Americans were displayed not merely
in the use of their regular war-vessels, but in the careers of the
privateers. The mere declaration of war with Great Britain meant
the destruction for the moment of the major part of the foreign
trade of America ; and the more daring spirits who had formerly
gone into this trade at once turned to the business of privateering.
The American privateers swarmed out into the Atlantic, and
especially round the West India Islands, the trade with which was
at that period verj- profitable to England. At times, in the past,
the French privateers had inflicted very great damage upon British
trade, but the British men-of-war had so completely gained
the upper hand of their adversaries that very few French ships,
public or private, were left at sea. The activity and success of
the American privateers, therefore, took the British government
and the British mercantile interest completely by surprise. Hun-
dreds of merchantmen were captured in the Atlantic, and in the
West Indies the privateers cut vessels out of harbours protected
by batteries, and landed to plunder the plantations. The island of
Jamaica was for some time practically blockaded by them. At first
the British warships could do little with them ; and the merchants
cried out bitterly because of the failure to protect them.
As rapidly as possible the British naval authorities gathered the
swiftest frigates and sloops to employ against these cnaisers ; and
there resulted a process of natural selection so severe tliat the type of
privateer soon became altered. At the outset almost any era It was
used ; but before the first year of the war had closed all the small and
slow vessels were captured or shut up in port, and a peculiar species
of craft was developed. Slu! was of large size, with a nunierous
crew, so as to man the prizes, and was armed with one heavy gun,
or " long tom," and several lighter pieces for use at close quarters.
' 'l"be Vijier, 10, Lieut. J. D. Ileiiby, was captured on January 17th, l!Sl.'!, Iiy tlio
Narcissus, 32, Capt. Jolm Kiclianl Luiiiley. Tlio VUeii, 12, Lieut. Geo. U. Keail, had
beeu taken on the previous November 22ud, by the ISouthamptuii, 32, Capt. Sir James
Lucas Yco.— W. L. C.
58 THE IVJH WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
She was sometimes a schooner, and sometimes a brig or a ship, but
always built on fine lines, and with extreme lightness, so as to i
possess astonishing speed. There were no more beautiful craft in
existence than these graceful, venomous, swift-sailing privateers ;
and as commerce destroyers they had not then their equals in the
entire world. ^
The first nine months of the war ended with the balance entirely
in favour of the Americans. Even at the outbreak of hostilities
the British had, scattered along the American coast and among the
West India Islands, three or four times as many ships as there
were in the American navy, and to those there had been added
many others, including heavy two-deckers ; but they had not
settled down to any definite plan for seriously interfering with the
cruises of the regular warships, or for sweeping the privateers from
the seas. The American trade had suffered severely ; but so had
the British. Infinitely more important, however, than such material
suffering, short of actual crippling, were the shame and smart felt
by the British pubhc at the American naval victories. Commerce
destroying was annoying and vexatious, and it might prove suffi-
ciently serious to incline an abeady disheartened combatant to
peace ; but no amount of destruction of commerce could cripple a
thoroughly resolute antagonist, nor, giving heart to the nation
which inflicted the loss, make it thrill with that warlike pride and
determination to conquer which do so much toward winning victory.
The two prime objects to be attained in successful warfare are to
cripple the antagonist and to give heart and confidence to one's
own side. The first object could not be attained by the little
American navy, for it was powerless to inflict appreciable damage
to the colossal sea might of England ; but the second object it could
and did achieve. On land the American attempts to invade Canada
resulted in humiliating disasters, and the efl^ects of the victorious
sea fights were very great in offsetting the mortification and depres-
sion which those disasters caused.
In England the sea fights caused as much excitement as in
America, though of a wholly different land. Neither the British
government nor the British people, and least of all the British
' Adams, vols. vii. and viii., has treated better than any other historian the careers
and importance of the privateers. If he could have seen Mahan's book before writing
his own, he would doubtless have laid more stress on the unsatisfactory results of trying
to substitute commerce destroyers for fighting ships.
1813.] BRITISH DEJECTION. 59
Navy, had dreamed it possible that on sea thej- would suffer any
serious annoyance from America. The prowess of the American
frigates and sloops, the hawk-like predatory speed of the American
privateers, and the energy displayed by men-of-warsmen and
privateersmen alike, were so many disagreeable surprises. The
material loss to the merchants was heavy, whereas the matei-ial
loss to the navy was trifling, so far as affecting Great Britain's
naval strength was concerned. Nevertheless, it was this last loss
which infinitely outweighed the other, as was inevitable and proper
with a proud, self-confident, and warlike nation. In seven months
Great Britain had suffered from the infant navy of the United
States, in five single-ship contests, severer moral loss than she
had suffered in all the single-ship contests of the preceding twenty
years' warfare with the nations of Europe.
Such a result was almost paralysing, and naturally produced
inordinate boastfulness and self-exaltation on the one side, and
bitter shame and anger on the other. The victors, the greater to
exalt their glory, sought to miniuiise the difference of force in
their favour, and insisted that the contending ships were practically
on an equality ; which was not only absurdly untrue, but a discredit
to their own intelligence, for, of course, it was highly to the credit
of America to have built ships more efficient than any then afloat.
The vanquished, to extenuate their defeats, attributed them entirely
to the difference in force, and enormously exaggerated this, crying
out that the American 44's were " disguised 74's," and that building
them was a characteristic piece of "Yankee cunning" to lure brave
British captains into unequal combat. The attention paid in
Parliament and in the London press to these victories was a
sufficient tribute to their importance. The Times, smarting under
the need to lay stress upon a difference in force which J^ritisli
seamen had been accustomed to disregard, wrote,
" Good God ! that a few short montlis should have so altered the tone of British
sentiment! Is it true, or is it not, that our Navy was accustomed to liold the
American in utter contempt ? Is it true, or is it not, that tlie Guerriere sailed uji and
down tlie American coast witli her name painted in large characters on lier sails, in
boyish deliance of Commodore Uodgers V"
Eighty-five ]5ritish ships were on the American station at the
beginning of hostilities.
" \Vc have since sent out more linc-of-battleshipB and licavier frigates. Surely wo
mvist now moan to smother tlie American Xavy. A very short lime before the capturo
60 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
of the Guerriere, an American frigate was an object of ridicule to our honest tars. Now
the prejudice is actually setting the other way, and great pains seem to be taken by the
friends of ministers to prepare the public fur the suriender of a British 74 to an
opponent lately so much contemned."
The Pi?ot, the chief maritime authority, gave i'uU expression to
the feehngs with which the British pulilic generally regarded these
events : —
" The public will learn, with sentiments which we shall not presume to anticipate,
that a third British frigate has struck to an American. This is an occurrence which
calls for serious reflection — this, and the fact stated in one paper of yesterdaj*, that
Lloyd's List contains notice of upwards of live hundredBritish vessels captured in seven
months by the Americans, five hundred iiierchantmeu, and three frigates ! Can these
statements be true, and can the English people hear them unmoved ? Any one who
had predicted such a result of an American war this time last year would have been
treated as a madman or a traitor. He would have been told, if his opponents had
condescended to argue with him, that long ere seven months had elapsed the American
tiag would be swept from the seas, the contemptible navy of the United States
annihilated, and their maritime arsenals rendered a heap of ruins. Yet down to this
moment not a single American frigate has struck her flag. The}- insult and laugh at
our want of enterprise and vigour. They leave their ports when they please, and
return to them when it suits their convenience ; they traverse the Atlantic ; the\' beset
the West India Islands; they advance to the very chops of the Channel; they parade
along the coasts of South America ; nothing chases, nothing intercepts, nothing engages
them but to yield them triumph."
Canning, in open Parhament, expressed the bitter anger felt by
the whole governing class. He stated that the loss of the frigates
had affected the country as it could be affected only by the most
violent convulsions of nature, and he retm-ned to the subject again
and again, saying, " It never entered into my mind that the mighty
naval power of England would be allowed to sit idle while our
commerce was swept from the surface of the Atlantic." And again,
" It cannot be too deeply felt that the sacred spell of the in-
vincibility of the British Navy was broken by these unfortunate
captures."
Most significant of all was the fact that the Admiralty issued
an order forbidding the 18-pounder frigates thereafter to do battle
with the American '24-pounder frigates. This was not a confession
of inferiority, as has been said by some American writers ; but it
was distinctly a renunciation of any clairn of superiority. The
American 44 was no more superior to the British 38-gun frigate
than the French 74 was to the Enghsh 74, for the main-deck battery
of the French two-decker carried a gun which threw a shot weighing
forty-three Enghsh pounds, whereas the main-deck guns of the
1813.] COMMENTS OF JUlilEN DE LA GRAVIERE. 61
British ships of the hue were only 32's. The difference, therefore,
was greater in favour of the French ships of the Hne, as compared
with their British opponents, than the difference between the victor
and the vanquished in the famous single-ship duels of 181'2. The
victories of Nelson and Jervis had been gained against odds much
greater than those encountered by the frigates which succumbed to
the Constitution and the United States. Time and again, moreover,
the British had won against odds as great, or greater, in single
combat. The French 18-pounder gun threw a shot weighing
twenty-one pounds English ; whereas, owing to the short weight of
the American shot, the American ■24-pounder usually threw but a
little over twenty-two ; so that, as compared with the old opponents
whom the British frigate captains had so often vanquished, their
new American foes threw but one and one-half pound more metal
from each gun of the main battery.
The difference in the size and stoutness of the ships, in the
numbers of the crews, and in the calibre of the guns accounted for
much in the result, but it by no means accounted for all ; and in the
two sloop actions it was of httle or no moment. The other element,
which entered quite as decisively into the contest, was the superior
efficiency of the Americans, especially in gunnery. The British had
grown over-confident and careless. They had learned to lean over-
much upon what Canning called " the sacred spell of the invinci-
bility of the British Navy," and they needed to learn the lesson that
this sacred spell can always be readily broken by any opponent who,
with equal courage, shows superiority in skill, and especially in cool
forethought and preparation. Superiority in courage and skill
combined can wrest victory from great odds, and no amount of
skill will atone for the lack of daring, of unflinching resolution, and
of dogged capacity to stand punishment ; but where courage is
equal, skill will always win ; and where courage and skill are both
('(|ual, then the side which has the best ships and guns will over-
whelm the other, no matter what may be the Hags under which the
combatants fight.
The best commentary on the five victories thus far described
is that given by the French Admiral, Jui-ien de La Gravi^re :
and it is significant of the pidlnund impression they created that,
in a work devoted to the gigantic naval battles of the fleets that
fou'dit under and against Nelson, a French admiral, to whom the
contest between the British and the Americans had no otlier
62 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
interest than the lesson it taught, should have devoted so much
space to these duels, singling them out above all the other single-
ship contests of the twenty-five years' war.
" When the American Congress declared war on England in 1812," he says,' " it
seemed as if this unequal conflict would crush her navy in the act of being born ;
instead, it but fertilised the germ. It is only since that epoch that the United States
has taken rank among maritime powers. Some combats of frigates, corvettes, and
brigs, insignificant without doubt as regards the material results, sufficed to break the
charm which protected the standard of St. George, and taught Europe what she could
have already learned from some of our combats, if the louder noise of our defeats had
not drowned the glory, that the only invincibles on the sea are good seamen and good
artillerists.
"The English covered the ocean with their cruisers when this unknown navy,
composed of six frigates and a few small craft hitherto hardly numbered, dared to
establish its cruisers at the mouth of the Channel, in the very centre of the British
power. But already the Constitution had captured the Guerriere and Java, the
United States had made a prize of the Macedonian, the Wasp of the Frolic, and the
Hornet of the Pmcoch. The honour of the new flag was established. England,
humiliated, tried to attribute her multiplied reverses to the unusual size of the vessels
which Congress had had constructed in 1799, and wliieli did the fighting in 1812. She
wished to refuse them the name of frigates, and called them, not without some
appearance of reason, disguised line-of-battle ships. Since then all maritime powers
have copied these gigantic models, as the result of the war of 1812 obliged England
herself to change her naval material ; but if they had employed, instead of frigates,
cut-down 7-i's, it woidd still be diffioult to explain the prodigious success of the
Americans. . . .
" In an engagement which terminated in less than half an hour, the English frigate
Guerriere, completely dismasted, had fifteen men killed, sixty-three wounded, and
more than thirty shot below the water-line. She sank twelve hours after the combat.
The Constitution, on the contrary, had but seven men killed and seven wounded, and
did not lose a mast. As soon as she had replaced a few cut ropes and changed a few
sails, she was in condition, even by the testimony of the British historian, to take
another Guerriere. 'Ihe United States took an hour and a half to recapture the
Macedonian, and the same difterence made itself felt in the damage suffered by the two
shij5s. The Macedonian had her masts shattered, two of her main-deck and all her
spar-deck gvms disabled, more than a himdred sliots had penetrated the hull, and over
a third of the crew had sutTered bj' the hostile fire. The American frigate, on the
contrary, had to regret but five men killed and seven wounded ; her guns had been
fired each sixty-six times to the Macedonian's thirty-six. The combat of the
Constitution and the Java lasted two hours, and was the most bloody of these three
engagements. The Java only struck when she had been razed like a sheer hulk ; she
had twenty-two men killed and one hundred and two wounded.
******
" This war should be studied with unceasing diligence ; the pride of the two peoples
to whom naval aflairs are so generally familiar has cleared all the details and laid bare
all the episodes ; and through the sneers which the victors should have spared, merely
out of care for their own glory, at every step can be seen the great truth, that there
is only success for those who know how to jirepare it.
***♦*«
" It belongs to us to judge impartially these marine events, too much exalted
' ' Guerres Maritimcs,' ii. 284 (edition of 1881).
1813.] THE TUJiN OF THE TIDE. 63
perhaps by a national vanity one is tempted to excuse. The Americans showed in tlie
war of 1812 a great deal of skill an<l resolution; but if, as they have asserted, the
chances had always been jierfcctly equal between them and their adversaries, if they
had only owed their triumphs to the intrepidity of Hull, Decatur, and Bainbridge,
there would be for us but little interest in recalling the struggle. We need not seek
lessons in courage outside of our own history. On the contrary, what is to be well
considered is that the ships of the United States constantly fought with the chances
in their favour, and it is on this that the American Government should found its true
title to glory. . . . The Americans in 1812 had secured to themselves the advantage
of a better organisation (than the English)."
After speaking of the heavier metal and greater number of men
of the American ships, he continues : —
" And yet only an enormous superiority in the precision and rapidity of their fire
can explain the difference in the losses sustained by the combatants.
" The American fire showed itself to be as accurate as it was rapid. ( )u occasions
when the roughness of the sea would seem to render all aim excessively uncertain,
the effects of their artillerj- were not less murderous than under more advantageous
conditions.
" Nor was the skill of their gunners the only cause to which the Americans owed
their success. Their ships were faster ; the crews, composed of chosen men, manoeuvred
with uniformity and precision ; their captains had that practical knowledge which is
only to be acquired b}' long experience of the sea ; and it is not to be wondered at that
the Constitution, when chased during three days by a squadron of five English frigates,
succeeded in escaping, by surpassing them in manojuvring and by availing herself of
every ingenious resource and skilful expedient that maritime science could suggest ....
To a marine exalted by success, but rendered negligent by the very habit of victory,
the Congress only opix)se<l the best of vessels and most formidable of armaments."
Throughout the year 1812, and the beginning of the year 181H,
Britain had made no effective use whatever of her tremendous
power at sea, so far as the United States was concerned. She
had suffered from overweening self-confidence in her own prowess,
and from overweening contempt for her foe. During the first
year of war the utter futility of the American land attacks on
Canada could fairly be matched by the utter inefficiency of the
efforts of the British ])oth to destroy the little American navy, and
to employ their own huge Navy so as to make it a determining
factor in the struggle. But by the spring of 1813 this was changed.
The British were a practical people, and they faced facts — thereby
showing capacity to turn these facts to their own advantage. The
dream of British naval invincibility, the dream that the British
warships could win against any reasonable odds, was a pleasant
dream, and the awakening was extremely disagreeable. Neverthe-
less, a dream it was, and the British recognised it as such, and acted
accordingly, with the natural result that thereafter tiie Aiuericans
64 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
suffered more than the British at sea. The 18-pounder frigates
were forbidden to engage single-handed the •24-pounder frigates of
the Americans/ and where possible they were directed to cruise in
couples, or in small squadrons, so as to be able with certainty to
overpower any single antagonist, great or small. No sufficient steps
were taken to bring the average standard of fighting efficiency,
especially in gunnery, up to the American level, and in consequence
there were some defeats yet in store ; but the best captains in the
British Navy were already as good as any to be found in America,
or anywhere else, and it was now the turn of the Americans to
suffer from over-confidence, while the British, wherever possible,
made dexterous use of their superior forces. After this period no
British frigate was captured, while three American frigates surren-
dered, one to an opponent of superior fighting efficienc}', and the
other two to superior force, skilfullj- used. The American sloops
did better, but even their career was chequered by defeat.
The important factor on the British side was the use of the
Navy to blockade the American coast. When war was declared,
the Napoleonic struggle was at its height, and the chances seemed
on the whole to favour Napoleon. But, by the spring of 1813, the
Grand Army had gone to its death in the snowclad wastes of Bussia,
and Wellington had completely bested the' French marshals in
Spain, so that it was merely a question of time as to when he
would invade France. In Germany the French were steadily losing
ground ; and all the nations of Europe were combining for the
overthrow of that splendid, evil, and terrible genius before whom
they had so long cowered. Britain could, therefore, afford to turn
her attention to America in earnest. As yet she could not spare
adequate land forces, but she could and did spare a sufficiency of
battleships, frigates, and sloops to make a real blockade of the
American coast. After May 1813 the blockade was complete from
New York southward. In the autumn it was extended further east ;
but it was not until the following year that it was applied with the
same iron severity to the New England coast, for the British
government hoped always that the seditious spirit in New England
would manifest itself in open revolt.
After the blockade had been once established, commerce ceased ;
and the only vessels that could slip out were the fast-sailing privateers
' The order recites that they are " forbidden to engage " ami are to " retreat " from
such a foe. — ' The Croker Pajiers,' i. 44.
1813.] INADEQUACY OF THE AMERICAN NAVY. (J5
and regular cruisers, whose captains combined daring, caution, and
skill in such equal proportions as to enable them to thread their
way through the innumerable dangers that barred the path. The
privateers frequentlj' failed, and even the regular cruisers were by
no means always successful ; while the risks were too great for
merchantmen habitually to encounter them. Georgia touched
Florida, and so could do a little trade through the Spanish
dominions ; and the northern N"ew England coast lay open for
some time to come ; but elsewhere the ships rotted at the ports,
though the shipwrights found employment in building the swift
privateers, and the sailor-folk in manning them.
The white-sailed British frigates hovered in front of everj-
seaport of note, standing on and off with ceaseless, unwearying
vigilance by day and night, in fair weather and foul, through the
summer and through the winter. In the great estuaries fleets rode
at anchor, or sailed hither and thither menacing destruction. No
town, large or small, could deem itself safe ; and every great river
was a possible highroad for the entrance of the enemy. Thei-e was
not a strip of the American coast over which the Americans could
call themselves masters, seaward of the point where the water grew
deep enough to float a light craft of war.
The one lesson which should be most clearly taught by this war
is the folly of a nation's relying for safety upon anything but its own
readiness to repel attack ; and, in the case of a power with an
extended seaboard, this readiness implies jthe possession of a great
fighting navy. The utter failure of Jefferson's embargo and his
other measures of what he termed " peaceable coercion," teach their
part of the lesson so plainly that it would seem impossible to
misread it; but the glory won by their little navy has tended to
blind Americans to the fact that this navy was too small to do
anything except win glory. It lacked the power to harm anything
but Britain's pride, and it was too weak to parry a single blow
delivered by the British along the coast, when once they realised
that their task was serious, and set about it in earnest. Twenty
ships-of-the-line, as good of their Icind as were the frigates and
sloops, would have rendered the blockade impossible, even if they
had not prevented the war ; and, judged merely from the monetary
standpoint, they would have repaid to the nation their cost a thou-
sand times over by the commerce they would have saved, and the
business losses they would have averted. As it was, the Americans
VOL. VI. F
66 THE WAR WITH THE I'XITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
were utterly powerless to offer any effective resistance to the British
blockade ; for it is too late to try to build a fleet, or take any
other effective steps, when once the war has begun. The nerveless
administration at Washington did not even take steps to defend the
capital city.
It is the fashion to speak of the people as misrepresented by the
politicians ; but in this case certainly the people deserved just the
government they had. Indeed, it is ciu-ious and instructive as well
as melancholy to see how powerless the Americans as a whole were
to make good the shortcomings of which they had been guilty prior
to the declaration of war. It is especially instructive for those
Americans, and indeed those Englishmen, who are fond of saying
that either country needs no protection merely because it cannot be
directly invaded by land, and who try to teach us that the immense
reserve sti'ength which each nation undoubtedly possesses can be
immediately drawn on to make good any deficiencies in preparation
at the outbreak of a war. This is much like telling a prize-fighter
that he need not train because he has such an excellent constitution
that he may draw on it to make good defects in his preparation for
the ring. The truth seems to be that, in naval matters especially,
nothing can supply the lack of adequate preparation and training
before the outbreak of war. The lead which is lost at the beginning
cannot be regained save by superhuman effort, and after enonuous
waste of strength. It is too late to mature plans for defence when
the enemy is close at hand , for he continually breaks up and renders
abortive the various little movements which, if given time, would
become formidable. There is more chance of remedying defective
preparation on land than on sea, merely because the fighting
machinery for use on the sea is so delicate and complicated that
ample opportmiity must be given, not merely to produce it, but to
learn to use it aright. This was true in the days of the American
and French Eevolutions ; it is infinitely truer now, when the fleets
of Eodney and Nelson have been left as far behind modern navies
as they stood ahead of the galleys of Alcibiades and Hanno.
The failure of the Americans to devise any adequate measure for
breaking the British blockade is partially due to this fundamental
difficulty in making preparations when the time for preparation has
passed. There was also a curious supineness among the people as a
whole, which was, if anything, even more noticeable among those
States which were clamorous for war than among those which, to
1813.] LACK OF PUBLIC SPIJIIT J.X AMERICA. G7
their deep discredit, clamored for peace. Virginia aud the Southern
States did not falter in their determination to continue the war,
and the New England States betrayed an utter lack of patriotism
in their cotuicils, and greatly hampered the national government in
its feeble efforts to uphold the national honour. Nevertheless,
astounding to relate, the New England States actually did more
than the South Atlantic States in the war itself, and this, not
because they did so much, but because the South Atlantic States
did so little. Massachusetts and Virginia were the typical States
of their two sections, and Massachusetts gave more men and
more money to carry on the war than did Virginia, apart from
furnishing a very large proportion of the sailors who manned the
war ships and privateers, while Virginia furnished hardly any. Not
even the continual presence of the British at their very doors could
rouse the Virginians to respectable resistance ; and the Marylanders
were not much better. It was in the Chesapeake that the main part
of the blockading fleet lay ; it was along the shores of that great bay
that the ravages of the British were most severely felt ; yet the
Virginians and Marylanders, during the two years when the enemy
lay on their coasts, insulting them at will, never organised any
attack whatsoever upon them, and took inadequate and imperfect
measures even for defence. The truth seems to be that the nation
was yet in the gristle, and that its awkward strength was useless, as
it could not be concentrated or applied to any one object. There
was no public training, and indeed no public feeling, which could
put at the disposal of the national government large bodies of dis-
ciplined men sufficient for effective use to a given end ; and the men
in control of the national government had been bred in a political
school which on its administrative side was so silly that they could
not have used this power even liad it l)cen given them. New York
and Philadelphia were never directly menaced during the war ; but
once or twice they thought they were, and the way in which they
proposed to meet the danger was by setting the citizens to labour on
earthworks in the neighbourhood, each profession, trade, or associa-
tion going out in a body on some one day — the lawyers on one day,
the butchers on another, the United Irishmen on another, and so on
and so on. This conception of the way to perform military duty
does not require comment : it would be grossly unfair to compare it
with the attitude even of unwarlike medieval l)urghers, for after all
the medijpval burghers bad snnio idea of arms, and the shop-keepers,
V 2
68 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
day-labourers, and professional men of New York and Philadelphia
had not.
Where such was the conception of how to carry on the war,
there is small cause for wonder that the war was allowed to carry
on itself pretty much as it pleased. Had the people displayed the
energy, the resolution, and the efficiency which their descendants on
both sides showed half a century later in the Civil AVar, no amount
of courage or of military sagacity on the part of the British could
have prolonged the contest for any length of time. But there was
no such showing. No concerted or resolute effort was made by the
people as a whole. Individual shipbuilders and contractors showed
great energy and capacity. Individual ship-captains at sea, in-
dividual generals on land, did remarkablj' well, showing military
aptitude of a high order : and every such commander, by sea or by
land, was able to make the seamen or the troops under him formid-
able and well-disciplined fighters in an astonishingly short space of
time ; for the Americans, whether afloat or on shore, were cool,
hardy, resolute, and fertile in resources and expedients. But no
commander ever had more than a small squadron or a diminutive
army with which to work, for the great mass of the Americans
did nothing to bring the war to a close. The task, about which
the people as a whole refused seriously to concern themselves, and
which the government lacked decision and character to perform,
was left to the shipwrights, to the seafaring folk, to the admirably
trained officers of the little regular navy, and, on shore, to such
commanders and troops as the campaigns themselves gradually
developed : and all acted more or less independently of one another,
or with only such concert as their own intelligence demanded.
The pressm-e brought to bear on America by the British blockade
was exceedingly effective, but it was silent, and so historians have
tended to forget it. They have chronicled with pride or regret,
according to their nationality, the capture of an occasional British
by an American sloop, but they have paid Httle heed to the ceaseless
strain on the American resom-ces caused by the blockade. Its mere
existence inflicted a direct material loss to the American people a
hundredfold greater than the entire American navy was able to inflict
on Great Britain from the beginning to the end of its gallant career
in this war. The very fact that the workings of the blockade were
ceaseless and almost universal makes it difficult to realise their
importance. It told heavily against the coasting trade, though
<
1813.] BLOCKADE OF THE AMERICAN COASTS. 69
less heavily than against foreign commerce; and it revived an almost
archaic industry, that of the waggoners, who travelled slowly,
parallel with the coast-line, to carry with an infinitely greater labour
and expense the goods that had formerly gone in the sloops and
schooners. The return to this primitive method of interchange
implied much of the suffering of primitive times, for it meant that
one part of the country might lack the necessaries of which another
part possessed an over-abundance. As soon as the blockade was
established it created the widest inequahties in the prices of com-
modities in different parts of the country.' Flour cost nearly three
times as much in Boston as in Kichmond, and lice four times as
much in Philadelphia as in Charleston, while imported articles like
sugar rose five-fold in price. Exports practically ceased by the
close of 1813. In that year they amounted to but two hundred
thousand dollars in New York as against over twelve million in the
year preceding the outbreak of the war, while, during the same
period, Virginia's original exports of five million dollars fell off to
twenty thousand. The import duties diminished with even
greater rapidity, until finally they could only be raised in New
England. The ruin was widespread. As yet the people of the
United States were not manufacturers, but small farmers, traders,
and seafarers. The trader of the towns saw all his trade destroyed,
and could give no employment to the sailors who had formerly
worked for him ; while the farmer grew crops which could not be
moved to any remunerative market, so that no ready money came
in to him ; and yet for whatever he needed, save what he himself
produced, he had to pay five times as much as formerly.
The coast dwellers in Virginia and Maryland were forced to
experience, not merely the weight of the blockade, but also actual
physical contact with the enemy. Another British squadron lay in
the Delaware, and forays were made here and there along the coast.
New York was blockaded, but very little was done save to put a stop
to commerce. There was another squadron at Nantucket, with Sir
Thomas Masterman Hardy, Nelson's flag captain, as conunodore.
Hardy's ships closed southern New England to the world, Imt
they did very little in the way of attacking or harassing the
coast itself, for Hardy, one of the most gallant captains who ever
lived, a man wlio had won his spurs in the greatest sea fights of
all time, and wim prided himself on his ability to meet anucd
' AdiiiiiH, vii. 263.
70 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
foes in battle, felt impatient at mere marauding, and comitenanced
it witli reluctance.
The directly opposite policy was pursued in Chesapeake Bay.
There Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren was in command, but the
chief work was done by Eear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn.
Cockburn organised a few of the lightest ships of Warren's fleet,
and some captured schooners, into a flotilla with which he could
penetrate at will the creeks and rivers. He was a capable, brave,
energetic man, hating his foes and enjoying his work ; and he
carried out with scrupulous fidelity the order to harass the American
coast. Not merely did he attack any militia that might from time to
time assemble, but he also destroyed towns and hamlets, and worked
widespread havoc throughout the country that lay within striking
distance of tide-water. Houses were burned, farms plundered, stores
pillaged, and small towns destroyed, while the larger places, and even
Baltimore, were thrown into a panic which caused the inhabitants
to neglect their business, but did not cause them to take such
efficient measures for self-defence as the exercise of reasonable
forethought would have demanded. Usually Cockburn and his
followers refrained from maltreating the people personally, and
most of the destruction they caused was at places where the
militia made some resistance ; but, when plundering once began,
it was quite impossible for the officers to restrain some of the verj-
men who most needed restraint.
The people were of course greatly exasperated at the marauding,
and the American newspapers far and near, and most American
writers then and afterwards, were loud in their denunciation of the
Eear-Admiral and his methods. Exactly how far these were or were
not defensible, it is difficult to sa}'. It is of course a mere matter
of convention to discriminate between the destruction of private
property on sea and on land. Armed vessels, British and American,
destroyed or captured any private propertj' of the enemy which they
could find afloat ; and if there were sufficient cause, or if there were
an object of sufficient importance to be attained, the combatants
were certainly warranted in destroying such property ashore.
Cockburn "s course was in many respects the same as that of
Sheridan's at one crisis in the Civil War ; and there was certainly
little in it to warrant the warmth of the execrations heaped upon
him by his foes — which were indeed somewhat in the nature of a
tribute to his efficiency. At the same time it may be admitted that
1813.] AMERICAN COMMERCE-DESTROYERS. 71
his work was not of the kind in wliicli the hest type of fighting
man would find anj- pleasiu'e, or which he would carry on longer
than was absolutelj^ necessary ; and for some of the revolting
details there was small excuse. There is room for question
as to whether the comparatively trifling loss inflicted on the
Americans did mucli lieyond irritating them. It certainly failed
to cow them, though equally certainly it failed to rouse them to
effective resistance.
In short, it may be doubted whether the course followed In'
Cockburn reflected any particular credit upon, or caused much, if
any, benefit to, the British side. There can be no doubt, however,
of the discredit attaching to the Americans for their conduct. A
people which lets its shores be insulted with impunity incurs, if
not greater blame, at least greater contempt, than the people which
does the plundering. If here and there Cockburn burned a hamlet
or two which he ought to have spared, his offence was really small
when compared with the disgrace brought on the American name
by the supineness shown by the people of the threatened neighbour-
hoods. They did nothing effectively of any kind for their own
defence. Indeed, for the most part they did nothing at all, except
gather bodies of militia whenever there was an alarm, and so keep
the inhabitants constantly worried and harassed by always calling
them to arms, and j'et merely providing almost worthless defenders.
And the nation as a whole was as much to blame as the States
directly menaced.
The retaliation of the Americans took the form of privateering.
By the time the blockade began to be effective, the American
privateers had developed into a well-recognised t3'pe. Small vessels
had been abandoned. Brigs and ships were common, and so wei'e
schooners of large size. Everything was sacrificed to speed ; and
the chief feature of the armament was the single long-range gun,
fitted to bring-to a fleeing merchantman at a considerable distance.
The privateers thus had neither the armament nor the build, not
to speak of the discipline, which would have enabled them to with-
stand regular men-of-war of the same size in close action, although
the crews were large, the better to man the prizes. In other words,
the privateer was a commerce destroyer pure and simple, built to
run ;ind not to fight; although, even as a connuercc dcstrnyer,
she was less effective than a government vessel would be, because
she was built to make money in a particularly risky species of
72 THE WAR WITH THE USITED STATES, ISIC-IS. [1813.
gambling ; and so, instead of destroying prizes, she sought to send
them in, with the result that nearly half were recaptured when once
the British began to make their blockade effective. A good many
privateers went out from the ports of the Southern States, and
Baltimore was a famous centre for them ; but the great majority
sailed from the New England and Middle States.
The ravages of these privateers were very serious.^ The British
trade suffered heavily from them, much more than from the closing
of the American ports — the argument upon which Jefferson had
placed so much reliance in his vain effort to bring Britain to terms.
In fact, the closing of the American ports by the war made com-
paratively little difference to England, because it was almost im
mediately accompanied by the opening of the trade with continental
Europe. The crushing disasters that befell Napoleon's gi'eat army
in Russia meant the immediate relaxation of his system in the
Baltic ; and after he was driven out of Germany, toward the close of
1813, all the German ports were again thrown open to the British
merchants, so that their trade grew by leaps and bounds, and the
loss of the American market was far more than made good by
the gain of markets elsewhere. After the overthrow of France, in
the spring of 1814, England was left without an enemy, except-
ing the United States, and her commerce went where it pleased,
unharmed except by the American privateers.
When she was thus left free to use her vast strength solely
against America, it seemed inevitable that the latter should be over-
thrown. But, in the war of 1812, w^hat seemed probable rarely came
to pass ; and the failiu-es on both sides caused the utmost astonish-
ment at the time, and are difficult to fully explain now. At the
oiitbreak of the war the general opinion in America was that
Canada would speedily be conquered ; and the general opinion in
Europe was that the United States' navy would be brushed from
the sea, and that the American privateers would be got under just
as those of France had been got under. Neither expectation was
fulfilled. During the first two years the Americans made no head-
way in the effort to conquer feebly-held Canada. When, in 1814,
Britain tmned her undivided attention to an enemy which with
one hand she had held at bay for two years, the inevitable out-
' Adams, in his 'History,' gives the best account both of the blockade and the
privateers. The details of some of the voyages of the latter are preserved in Coggeshall's
' History of American Privateers.'
1813.] THE LESSONS OF THE PRIVATEERS. 73
come seemed to be her triumph ; yet she in her turn failed in her
aggressive movements against the United States just as America
had failed in her aggressive movements against Canada, and her
giant Navy proved unequal to the task of scourging from the seas
the American men-of-war and privateers. Contrary to her ex-
perience in all former wars with Em-opean powers, she found that
the American privateers were able to operate far from their base,
and to do great damage without any great fighting navy to back
them up ; and as the war progressed they grew ever bolder in their
ravages round the coasts of the British Isles themselves.
There are two lessons, which at first sight seem contradictor}',
to be learned from the history of the privateers in this war. In
the first place, their history does teach that very much can be
accomplished by coimnerce destroying, if more directly efficient
methods cannot be used. The American privateers rendered in-
valuable service to their country by their daring, and the severity
of their ravages. In those days sailing vessels were not hampered
as vessels would be hampered under like conditions in the days
of steam ; they did not need coaling stations, and there was
much less danger of their getting out of repair. The American
privateer was a faster ship than any previously seen on the waters,
and she was more daringly and skilfully handled than any ships
of her kind had ever been handled by Europeans. She could
usually overtake any merchantmen, and usually escape any man-
of-war. Of course, in the end she was almost certain to encounter
some man-of-war from whom she could not escape ; but this might
not be until after several profitable voyages ; and though, on the
average, privateering was a business in which the losses equalled
the gains, yet the chances of success were as great as the risks,
and it was a kind of gambling which appealed peculiarly to adven-
turous spirits. The commerce destroying put a severe strain on
the British mercantile and seafaring communities.
Nevertheless, admitting and emphasising all this does not mean
the admission that privateering was the way in which America
could best have used her strength. The privateers did great and
real damage to England, and though at first they caused more
irritation than alarm, they inflicted such punishment upon the
merchants and the seamen as materially to increase the disposition
of the British for peace. ]^ut what they accomplished cannot be
compared with what was accomplished by the British Navy. The
74 THE WAR WITH THE USITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
American privateers harassed the commerce of England, hut the
British blockading fleet destroj^ed the commerce of America. The
ravages of the one inclined the British people to peace ; hut
the steady pressure of the other caused such a bitter revolt against
the war in parts of America as nearly to produce a civil conflict.
The very success of the privateers was a damage to the American
navy, for all the seamen wished to enlist on board them instead of
on board the regular ships of war. Eegular ships were better
commerce destroyers, and, above all, battleships would have ac-
complished far more, had the energies of the nation been turned
towards their production instead of to the production of private
armed ships. In the coast towns the number of seamen who served
on board the privateers could have manned scores of fast govern-
ment vessels built on the same lines ; and, as these vessels would
not have tried to save their prizes, thej' would have inflicted more
damage on the enemy. Undoubtedly this would have been an
advantage so far as it went ; and perhaps, after the outbreak of the
war, it was too late to try to build a great fighting fleet. But in
reality what was needed was an infinitely more radical change.
The substitution of the government commerce destroyer for the
privateer would have done some good, but it could not have
accomplished anything decisive. What was needed was the substi-
tution for all these commerce destroyers of a gi-eat fighting fleet.
Such a fleet b}- its mere existence would doubtless have prevented
the war. It would certainh', if handled as well as the frigates,
sloops, and privateers were handled, have prevented a blockade,
even if war had been declared ; and American commerce, instead
of being destiwed outright, would merely have sufl'ered heavily,
just as the British commerce suffered. The men emploj'ed in the
privateers would have manned enough ships of the line to have
brought all this about. A fighting fleet would have prevented
the losses and humiliations which the commerce destroyers were
utterly powerless to avert. Moreover, it would have done more
real and lasting damage than the commerce destroyers could
possibly do. Commerce destroying was a makeshift. It was a
very useful makeshift, and much good came from the way in which
it was utilised ; but it must not be forgotten that it was only a
makeshift, and that the commerce destroyers were in no sense
satisfactory substitutes for great fighting ships of the line, fitted
to wrest victory from the enemy by destroying his powers, both of
1«13.] THE "C/IKSAPEAKEr 75
offence aud defence, and able to keep the war away from the home
coasts.
The reverses which the British Navy had encomitered in all the
earlier sea fights were mortifying to a degree. It was now the turn
of the Americans to suffer similar mortifications. Perhaps the chief
cause of the British disasters had been an ignorant self-confidence
combined w'ith an equally ignorant contempt of the enemy, which
rendered the British indifferent to odds, and indifferent also to that
thorough training which could alone make their ships into efficient
fighting machines. The same undue self-confidence and undue
disregard for the prowess of the enemy were now to cause the
CAl'T.VIX J.VMKS LAWRESCK, U.S.S.
[Fnun nit I'DijViiviiitj htj E'lirin.)
Americans the loss of one of their frigates and the death of one of
their most gallant captains.
In May, 1812, Captain James Lawrence, the connnander of
the Hornet, was promoted to the connuand of the Chesapeake, 38,
which was being fitted out at Boston. Her crew had just been
discharged, and, as she was regarded as an unlucky ship, and as
there had been nnuli dissatisfaction over their failure to get prize
money, many of the crew refused to re-enlist, preferring to sliip
in some of the numerous privateers. A few of the Constitiitiuii's
old crew came on board, and those, and the men who had been in
the Chesapeake during her former voyage, were excellent material.
The rest were raw hands, including an unusually large number of
76 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
foreigners. About forty of these were British. There were also
a number of Portuguese, one of whom, a boatswain's mate, almost
brought about a mutiny among the crew, which was only pacified
by giving the men prize cheques. The last draft of the new
hands was not only entirely untrained, but also came on board so
late that when the ship was captured their hammocks and bags
were still lying in the boats stowed over the booms. A man like
Lawrence would speedily have got such a crew into shape. A cruise
of a very few weeks would doubtless have enabled him to put the
ship in as good trim as the Hornet was when under his command.
But she was in no condition to meet an exceptionally good frigate
before she was eight hours out of port. Even his officers, with
one exception, were new to the ship, and the third and fourth
lieutenants were not regularly commissioned as such, but were only
midshipmen, acting for the first time in higher positions. Lawrence
himself was of course new to both the officers and the crew.
In such circumstances it was clearly his duty to trj- to avoid an
encounter with the enemy until his ship should be in good condition
to fight. Unfortunately for him, however, his experiences in the
war had given him the same unreasonable feeling of superiority over
his foes as the latter had themselves felt a year earlier. He had
spent three weeks in blockading a sloop-of-war, the Bonne Citoyenne,
which was of equal force with his own, and which yet resolutely
declined to fight. He had captured another sloop-of-war which
was, it is true, inferior in force, but which was also infinitely
inferior in point of fighting efficiency ; and this capture had been
made in spite of the presence of another sloop-of-war, which, never-
theless, did not venture out to attack him. He had, as he deemed,
good ground to believe that his foes were so much inferior in
prowess as to make success almost certain. Indeed, had the frigate
which he was about to attack been no more foiTuidable, as regards
the skill of her captain and the training of her crew, than the ships
which the Americans had hitherto encountered, Lawrence's conduct
might very possibly have been justified by the result.
But the British frigate Shannon, 38, which was then cruising
off Boston harbour, was under Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke,
who had commanded her for seven years, and who was one of the
ablest captains in the British sei-vice. A British naval historian
has explained why it was that the Shannon proved herself so much
more formidable than her sister frigates.
1813.]
PHILIP BOWES VERE BROKE.
77
"Tlieie was another iK)iiit in which the generality of the British crews, as compared
with any one American crew, were miserably deficient : that is, skill in the art of
gunnery. While the American seamen were constantly firing at marks, the British
seamen, except in particular cases, scarcely did so once in a year; and some ships covild
be named on board which not a shot had been tired in this way for ujnvard of three
years. Nor was the fault wholly the captain's. The instructions under which he was
bound to act forbade him to use, during the first six months after the ship had received
her armament, more shots per month than amounted to a third in number of the upper-
deck guns; and after these six months only half the quantity. Many captains never
put a shot in tlie guns till an enemy apjieajed : they employed the leisiu'e time of the
men in handling the sails and in decorating the*ship."
BEAR-ADMIRAL SIR PHILIP BOWES VEUE liHOKE, BART., K.C.B.
(/•'(■«»( Blooits UlhO'jraiiU after a iiortmil imintal about 1814, when Broke was a I'osl-Caittaiii.)
Captain Broke was not one of this kind.
" From tlie day on wliich iie had joined her, the 14th of September, I80G, the
Shannon began to feel the efi'ect of her captain's proficiency as a gunner, and zeal for
the service. The laying of the ship's ordnance so tliat it may be correctly fired in a
liori/.ontal direction is justly deemed a must iuiporlant operation, as upon it depcnils in
a great measure the true aim and destructive ell'ect of every future shot she may lire.
On board tlio Shannon, at her first outfit, this was ullended to by (.'apliiin Broke in
person By draughts from other ships, and tlie usual means to which a Britisli
man-of-war is obliged to resort, the Shannon got together a crew ; and in the course of
a year or two, by tlie iiatcnial care and excellent regulations of Captain Broke, an
78 THE n'AIt WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
undersized, not very well disposed, and, iu point of age, rather motley ship's com] any
became as pleasant to conirnaud as they would have been dangerous to meet." '
The Shannon's guns were all carefully sighted ; and, moreover,
"every day, for about an hoiu* and a half in the forenoon, when
not prevented by chase or the state of the weather, the men were
exercised at training the guns, and for the same time in the after-
noon in the use of the broad-sword, pike, musket, etc. Twice a
week the crew fired at targ^, both with great guns and with
musketry ; and Captain Broke, as an additional stimulus beyond the
emulation excited, gave a pound of tobacco to every man that put
a shot through the bulFs-eye." He would frequently have a cask
thrown overboard, and suddenly order some one gun to be manned
to sink the cask.
Captain Broke had sent a challenge to Captain Lawrence, ex-
pressing a willingness to meet the latter in a duel in any latitude and
longitude he might appoint ; for Broke did not expect to be given
the great advantage of meeting his antagonist just as the latter was
leaving port, and before her crew were in fighting trim ; and he
possessed a justifiable confidence in the ability of the ship which
he commanded to hold her own in any circumstances. It may be
mentioned that this letter of challenge was worthy of the gallant
writer, being a model of courtesy, manliness, and candour. Un-
fortunately for Lawrence, he never received it ; and he stood out
to engage the Shannon at mid-day of June 1st, 1813.^ Afterwards
it was alleged that he engaged against his judgment ; but this was
undoubtedly not the case. The British frigate was in sight in
the ofiing, and he sailed out to attack her in the confident hope of
victory.
The two ships were very evenly matched, but what superiority
there was was on the American side. The Chesapeake carried fifty
guns — twenty-eight long 18's on the gmi-deck, and, on the spar-
deck two long 1'2's, one long 18, one 1'2-pr. carronade, and eighteen
32-pr. carronades. There were on board her 379 men all told.
The Shannon carried fifty-two guns — twenty-eight long 18's on
the gun-deck, and, on the spar-deck, four long 9's, one long 6,
three 12-pr. carronades, and sixteen 32-pr. carronades, with a crew
of 330 men. In guns the two ships were practically equal, but
' James, vi. 196 (Ed. 1837).'
- Navy Department MSS., 'Captains' Letters,' vol. xxix. Xo. 1 ; Lawrence's letter,
June 1st, 1813.
1813.] THE "SHANNON" AND THE ''CHESAPEAKE." 79
in crew the Americans were superior by fifty men, which, in an
engagement at close quarters, ought to have given them the
upper hand, if the two crews had been likewise equal in fighting
capacity.'
At noon the Chesapeake weighed anchor, stood out of Boston
harbour, and an hour later rounded the lighthouse. The Shannon
stood off under easy sail. She reefed her topsails, and alternately
hauled up and again bore away. With her foresail brailed up, and her
maintop-sail braced flat and shivering, she surged slowly through
the quiet seas, while the Chesapeake came down with towering
canvas, and the white water breaking under her bow. When Boston
lighthouse bore west, distant six leagues, the Shannon again hauled
up, with her head to the south-east, and lay-to under fighting canvas,
stripped to her topsails, topgallant-sails, jib, and spanker. The
breeze freshened, and as the Chesapeake neared her foe, she took in
her studding-sails, topgallant-sails, and royals, got her royal yards on
deck, and came down very fast under topsails and jib. At 5.30 p.m.,
to keep under command and be able to wear if necessary, the
Shannon put her helm alternately a-lee and a-weather, first keeping
a close luff, and then again letting the sails shiver. The Chesapeake
had hauled up her foresail ; and, with three ensigns flying, she
steered straight for the Shannon's starboard quarter. For a moment
Broke feared lest his adversary might pass under the Shannon's
stern, rake her, and engage her on the quarter; bitt the American
captain sought only a yardarm and yardarm action, to be decided by
sheer ability to give and take punishment. He luffed up fifty yards
from the Shannon's starboard quarter, and squared his mainyard.
On board the Shannon the captain of the 14th gun, "William
Mindham, had been ordered not to fire until it bore into the
second main-deck port forviui'd. .\t ").•">() it was firrd, and IIrmi the
other guns in quick succession from abaft forward, the Chesapeake
replying with her whole broadside. At 5.53, Lawrence, finding that
he was forging ahead, hauled up a little. The Chesapeake's guns
(lid murderous damage, but the ship herself suflered even more.
The men in the Shannon's tops could hardly see the deck of the
American frigate through the cloud of shivered and splintered
wreck that was flying across it. Man after man was killed at the
wheel; the fourth lieutenant, the master, and the boatswain fell;
' Letters of Lieutenant George BmUl ami Captain Broke, and Brighton's 'Memoir
of A.liiiiral Broke.'
80 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
and, six minutes after the first gun had been fired, the jib-sheet
and foretop-sail tie were shot away, and the spanker brails loosened
so that the sails blew out, and the ship came up into the wind
somewhat. Her quarter was then exposed to her antagonist's
broadside, which beat in her stern ports and swept the men from
the after-guns. One of the arms-chests on the quarter-deck was
blown up bj' a hand-grenade thrown from the Shannon, the smoke
shrouding everything from sight for a moment.* Broke saw that
the Chesapeahe had stern- way on and was paying slowly off; so
he put his helm a-starboard and shivered his mizen-topsail, to
keep off the wind and delay the boarding. But at that moment
the Shannon's jib-stay was shot away (for some of the Chesapeake's
guns still bore), and, her headsails becoming becalmed, she went off
very slowly. In consequence, at six o'clock, the two frigates fell
on board one another, the Chesapeahe' s quarter pressing upon the
Shannon's side just forward of the starboard main-chains; and they
were kept in this position by the fluke of the Shannon's anchor
catching in the Chesapeake's quarter port.
The Shannon's crew had suffered severely, and her decks were
running thick with blood ; but the trained and seasoned seamen
stood to their work with grim indifference. Broke ran forward as
the frigates ground against one another. He saw that the Americans
were flinching from their quarter-deck guns, and at once ordered the
ships to be lashed together, the gi'eat guns to cease firing, and the
boarders to be called. The boatswain, Mr. Stevens, who had
fought in Kodney's action, was foremost in fastening the fiigates
together, though, as he finished his work, an American seaman
hacked his right arm off with a blow from a cutlass.
All was confusion and dismay on board the Chesapeake.
Lieutenant Augustus Charles Ludlow had been mortally wounded
and carried below. Lawrence himself, while standing on the
quarter-deck, fatalh' conspicuous by his full-dress uniform and com-
manding stature, was shot as the vessels closed by Lieutenant John
Law of the Eoyal Marines. He fell dying, and was carried below,
exclaiming, "Don't give up the ship" — a phrase that has since
become proverbial among his countrymen. The acting third lieu-
tenant, a midshipman, who was a devoted admirer of Lawrence,
helped to carry him below, instead of remaining at his post as he
' Navy Department MSS., " Captains' Letters," vol. xxix. Xo. 10 ; Bainbridge's
letter, June 2nd, 1833.
O =
> *
5C 1,
t- -I
to I
I
1813.] THE "SHANNON'- AND THE "CHESAPEAKE." 81
should have done.' When he returned it was too late. Indeed,
one or two of the younger officers were stunned and demoralised
by the succession of disasters.
While the confusion was at its height, Captain Broke stepped
from the Sliaiuions gangway rail oi: to the muzzle of the Chesa-
peake's aftermost carronade, and thence over the bulwark on to her
quarter-deck, followed by about twenty men. As the British came
on boaixl, the men on the Chesapeake's spar-deck, who had suffered
more heavily than any others, whose officers had all been killed
or wounded, and who had not the discipline to take unmoved such
heavy punishment, deserted their quarters. The Portuguese boat-
swain's mate removed the gratings of the berth-deck and ran below,
followed by many of the crew. On the quarter-deck, almost the only
man who made any resistance was the chaplain, Mr. Samuel Liver-
more, who advanced, firing his pistol at Broke ; and Broke in return
cut him down with a single stroke. On the upper-deck the only men
who behaved well were the marines ; but of their original number of
forty-four men, fourteen, including Lieutenant James Broom- and
Corporal Dixon, were dead, and twenty, including Sergeants Twin
and Harris, wounded ; so that there were left but one corporal and
nine men, several of whom had been knocked down and bruised,
though they were later reported unwounded. There was thus hardly
any resistance. Captain Broke stopping his men for a moment until
they were joined by the rest of the boarders under Lieutenants
George Thomas L. Watt and Charles Leslie Falkiuer. The Chesa-
peake's mizen-top men began firing at the boarders, mortally
wounding Midshipman John Samwell, and killing Lieutenant Watt;
but one of the Shannon's long 'J's was pointed at the top and cleared
it out, being assisted by the British main-top men under Midshipman
Cosnahan. At the same time the men in the Chesapeake's main-top
were driven out of it by the fire of the Shannon's fore-top men under
Midshipman William Smith (5).
The Americans on the main-deck now for the first time learned
that the British had boarded, as the upper-declc men came crowding
down; and Lieutenant George Budd sprang up, calling on his people
to follow iiim. A dozen veterans tumliied up after him, and, as they
' See raiQutes of cuurt-MKiitial on tlie loss of llie Chesapeake, given iu lugorsoll,
i. 306.
VOL. VI. G
82 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
reached the spar-deck, Budd led them against the British who were
coming along the gangways. For a moment, under the surprise of
the attack, the assailants paused, the British purser, Mr. George
Aldham, and Captain's Clerk, Mr. John Dunn, heing killed ; but they
rallied at once, and the handful of Americans were cut down or dis-
persed, Lieutenant Budd being wounded and knocked down the main
hatchway. "The enemy," wrote Captain Broke, "fought desperately,
but in disorder." Lieutenant Ludlow, already mortally wounded,
heard the shouts and the stamping overhead, and he struggled up on
deck, sword in hand. Two or three men followed him ; but the rush
of the boarders swept them away like chaff, and the dying Ludlow
was hewn down as he fought. On the forecastle a few seamen and
marines turned at bay. Captain Broke was still leading his men
with the same brilliant personal courage which he had all along
shown. Attacking the first American, who was armed with a pike,
he parried a blow from it and cut down the man ; attacking another,
he was himself cut down, and only saved by the seaman Mindham,
already mentioned, who slew his assailant. One of the Amei-ican
marines brained an Englishman with his clubljed musket ; and so
stubborn was the resistance of the little group, that, for a moment,
the assailants recoiled ; but immediately afterwards they closed in
and slew their foes to a man. The British fired a volley or two
down the hatchway, in response to a couple of shots fired up,
whereupon all resistance came to an end ; and at 6.5, just fifteen
minutes after the first gun had been fired, and not five minutes after
Captain Broke had boarded, the colours of the Chesapeake were
struck. Of her crew sixty-one were killed or mortally wounded,
including her captain, her first and fourth lieutenants, the lieutenant
of marines, the master, boatswain, and three midshipmen ; and
eighty-five were severely or slightly wounded, including both her
other lieutenants, five midshipmen, and the chaplain : a total of one
hundred and forty-eight. Of the Shaiinoi's men, thirty-three were
killed outright or died of their wounds, including her first Lieutenant,
George Thomas L. Watt; Purser, George Aldham; Captain's Clerk,
John Dunn ; and Midshipman John Samwell ; and fifty were
wounded, including the Captain himself and the Boatswain, Mr.
William Stevens : total, eighty-three. The Chesapeake was taken
into Halifax, where Captain Lawrence and Lieutenant Ludlow were
both buried with military honours. Captain Broke was made a
1813.]
LOSSES OF THE COMBATANTS.
83
baronet, very deservedlj', and Lieutenants Wallis ' and Falkiner -
were both made commanders.
The battle had been as bloody as it was brief. When the
Chesapeake surrendered, her crew had suffered a much heavier
relative loss than the crews of the Giierrierr, the Macedonian, or
rilOVO WIIJ.IAM TARUY VVAI.LIS, -ET. -'2.
( Bij permission, frmn an cnnnii'i/i'j, piihlf>ifuil in tht " SI rand Mai/aziiic," tOh r a ijortrait painted in 1813.)
SIGNATURK OF SIR I'ROVO WILMAM I'ARRY WAI.MS, (l.C.It., ADMIRAL OF THE FI.EKT.
tFruin a htirr irritlen In tin Atitliar mi .hini '2nil, lS9fi, irhcn Sir Priiro n'lts in his \(Xilh war.)
even the Jai^a. The Sliniiunn bad not only suffered a heavier
loss than ])ef<!ll the victorious ship in any other sin<;lo ship dncl of
' Piovo William Parry Wallis : born, 17111 ; Lieutenant, 1808 : Commander, 1813 ;
Captain, 1810 ; Rear- Admiral, 1851 ; Vice- Admiral, 18.")7 ; Admir.al, 18G3 ; Admiral of
the Fleet, 1877 ; died senior of that rank, and G.CMJ., February 13th, 1892, being in
his hundred and first year. (Life by Bright.) — W. L. 0.
-Charles Leslie Falkiner: boru, 171)1; Lieutenant, 1810: Commander, 1813;
retired with the rank of Captain, 1848; succeeded liis brother us a Baronet; died, 1858.
— W. L. C.
G 2
84 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
the war, but had also suffered a loss as severe as that which had been
held Kd justify the surrender of more than one vessel — the Argus and
the Epervier, for instance, and even the Guerriere. The action was
fought at such close quarters and imder such conditions that there
was no room for manoeuvi-ing, and, so far as the first broadside was
concerned, no room for display of any very great difference in gunnery,
provided each side was moderately efficient. Beyond question,
Broke's men were far more skilful in the handhng of the guns ;
but this was only one of the factors which went to make up the
victory. It was a terrific, punishing fight, entered into on conditions
that ensured the taking as well as the giving of very hard blows.
Such a fight is not merely a test of pluck : it is a test, above all
others, of training and disciphne, and of cool-headed readiness to
repair injm'ies and take advantage of shifting opportunities. The
heavy loss on board the Shannon did not confuse or terrify the
thoroughly trained men, disciplined to place imphcit reliance in their
leaders. A somewhat greater loss on board the Chesapeake dis-
heartened the raw hands among the crew, and created such confusion
that there was no immediate readiness to remedy any temporary
disaster ; while even the officers, being new to one another and to
the ship, and some of them being very young, were not able to do
their best. American writers have been fond of saying that the
defeat of the Chesapeahe was due to accident, especially to the loss
of the jib-sheet and foretop-sail tie, which brought her up into the
wind, and exposed her to a raking fire. This statement is simply
not true. Sr;ch accidents are boiand to occur in battle; and a skilled
captain and crew will remedy them when they occur in their own
ship, and will take advantage of them when they occur to the
enemy. The victory was not in the slightest degree to be attributed
to accident,^ though it may have been slightly hastened by it.
Trained skill and good discipline won, as they had so often won
before. There was no lack of courage on the defeated side ; the
hea\'y death-roll shows that. Nearlj' every American ofiicer was
killed or w'ounded, and so were three-fourths of the marines, and
half the veterans of the crew.
Nor did the boarding win the victory. "When the ships came
together the Chesapeake was akeady beaten at the guns. She had
been struck, all told, by three hundred and sixty-two shot of every
' Cooper is of little use for this action ; and the " accident " theory is a favourite
with most American writers.
1813.] JURIEN BE LA GliAVlEBES COMMENTS. 85
description, and the Sluiniuni, by about one hundred and fifty-eight.
Had the ships not come together, the fight would have been longer,
and the loss greater and more nearly equal ; but the result would
have been the same. The Chesapeake's crew had been together and
on board her only as many hours as the Shannon's had been years,
and the result was what might have been foreseen, when the
Captain of the Shannon had spent his time to such good advantage
in training his crew. It is worth noticing that the only thoroughly
disciplined set of men on board the Chesapeake, the marines, behaved
with superb corn-age and fought to the last, very few of them
escaping entirely unscathed. Complaint was made at the time
against the Portuguese and other foreigners among the crew, and
notably against the Portuguese boatswain's mate. It appears that at
the time of the boarding they did not do very well, the boatswain's
mate in particular showing cowardice ; but it is idle to ascribe the
defeat in any way to their action. The Chesapeake was beaten
before the boarding took place ; and her men had suffered too severe
a loss, and were too demoralised, to oppose successful resistance to
gallant Captain Broke and his veterans.
Admiral de La Graviere comments on this fight as follows, and
his criticism is entirely just : —
" It is impossible to avoid seeiiii; in tlic capture of tlie Chesapeake a new proof of
the eiioriiiouK power of a good organisation, wlien it has received tlie consecration of a
few years' actual service on the sea. On this occasion, in eflect, two captains equally
renowned, the honour of two navies, were opposed to each other in two ships of the same
tonnage and number of guns. Never had the chances seemed better balanced ; but Sir
Philip Broke had commanded the Shannon for nearly seven years, while Captain
Lawrence had only commanded the Chesapeake for a few days. The first of these
frigates had cruised for eighteen months on the coast of America ; the second was
leaving port. One had a crew long accustomed to habits of strict obedience; the other
was manned by men who had just been engaged in mutiny. The Americans were
wrong to accuse fortune on this occasion. Fortmie was not tickle — she was merely
logical. The Shannon captured the Chesapeake on the 1st of June, 1813; but on the
14th of September, 1800, the day when lie took command of his frigate. Captain Broke
had begun to prepare the glorious termination of this bloody afl'air."
No single ship action of the war attracted greater attention than
this, and none reflected greater credit on the victor. After five ships
in succession had been captured in single fight by the enemy,
without one victory to relieve the defeats, Captain Broke, in sight of
the enemy's coast, off the hariiiuif of one of liis chief seaports, had
' ' Guerres Maritimes," ii. '_'7'_'.
86 THE KAIl WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
captured single-handed a frigate nominallj- of equal, and in reality of
slightly superior, force. He himself was very badly wounded, and
was never again able to go into active service." His victory was
celebrated with almost extravagant joy throughout Britain. The
exultation of the British was as great as had been their previous
depression. No other British Captain has ever won such honour
by a single ship action. No other fight between frigates has ever
been so enthusiastically commemorated by the victor's countrymen.
Captain Broke was made a baronet. Nelson, for the battle of the
Nile, was only raised to the lowest rank of the peerage ; and fiftj'
years later, as we learn from ' Tom Brown at Eugby,' the glory of
the Shannon and her commander was a favourite theme for song
among British schoolboys.
In America the news of the result caused widespread grief and
dismay. A year had made the Americans feel the same unjustifiable
self-confidence that the British had felt at the outbreak of the war,
and the Shannon's victory shattered the one as the frigate and sloop
actions of 181-2 had shattered the other. In each case the exultation
of the victors was an unconscious expression of the high esteem in
which the}' had held the prowess of the vanquished. The excite-
ment caused by the capture of the Guerriere was proof of the
commanding position of the British Navy ; the joy over the capture
of the Chesapealie showed the point to which the prowess of the
Americans had raised the general estimate of American ships-
of-war.
The lesson of the Chesapeake was not to stand alone. The
American brig sloop Argus, 16, commanded by Lieutenant William
Henry Allen, had crossed the ocean in June, carrying the American
minister to France. On July 14th, 1813, she put out again from
Lorient, and cruised in the chops of the English Channel, and then
along the coast of Cornwall and into St. George's Channel. She
captured and burnt ship after ship, creating the greatest consterna-
tion among the merchants. The labour was very severe, the men
getting hardly any rest. On the night of August 13th a brig laden
with wine from Oporto was taken, and manj' of the crew got drunk.
At five o'clock on the following morning, a large brig-of-war, which
proved to be the British brig slooji Pelican under Commander John
' Philip Bowes Yere Broke: born, 1776; Lieuteuaut, 1795; Commander, 1799;
Captain, 1801; Baronet, November 2nd, 1813; K.C.B., January 2nd, 1815; Eear-
Admiral, 1830; died, 1811.— W. L. C.
1813.] THE "PELICAN-' AXD THE "AIIGUS." 87
Fordyce Maples,' was descried standing down under a cloud of
canvas. St. David's Head bore east five leagues.
The Arc/us was a very swift brig, with loftier masts and longer
spars than the 7\7/('«h, though the latter was considerably heavier; and
she was armed only with •24-pr. carronades as against the 32's of the
Pelican. The odds against her were about the same as they had been
against the Peacock or the Java ; but Allen, who had been Decatur's
first lieutenant when the Macedonian was captured, was as confident
of victory as Lawrence had been, and he had no intention of taking
advantage of his superiority of speed to avoid combat. The Argus
shortened sail and waited until the Pelican was nearly aft, and but a
pistol-shot off. Then, at 0 a.m., she wore and fired her port guns, the
Pelican responding with her starboard battery.'- Immediately after
the beginning of the action a round shot carried off Allen's leg,
inflicting a mortal wound ; but he staj'ed on deck until he fainted
from loss of blood. Soon afterwards the first lieutenant, William
Henry Watson, was wounded by a grape-shot and carried below ; and
the second lieutenant, Mr. U. H. Allen, was left to fight the brig.
The filing was veiy heavy, especially from the Pelican ; but most of
it went high, on both sides. At (3.14 Commander Maples bore up to
pass astern of his antagonist ; but Lieutenant Allen luffed into the
wind and threw the maintoj)-sail aback so as to come square across
his antagonist's bows. From this position he raked the Pelican
with his broadside ; but the guns were badly aimed, and did little
damage. The ships again ran off side by side, the fire continuing
as furiously as ever; but the Argus began to suffer so much in her
rigging that she became unmanageable, and fell off before the wind.
The Pelican then passed under her stern, raked her heavily, ranged
up on hei- starboard quarter, and raked her again and again ; for
it was no longer possible to handle her. The Argus suffered
heavily aloft : her crew escaped without severe slaughter, but
began to show symptoms of demoralisation, not behaving as well
as the gallantry and seamanship of licr olficers would seemingly
have warranted. In a few moments the Pelican passed her foe's
broadside, and took a position on her starboard bow. At 6.45,
three-quarters of an hour after the action had l)egun, the brigs fell
' The I'elican Iiad anchored at Cork on August 12th, after a cruise, and had at
once been ordered to sea again in quest of the Aryus. Slie liad, therefore, talien
necessary stores on board, and sailed witiiin fourteen hours. — W. L. C.
^ MuMitcs of court of inquiry into lo.ss of Argus, March 1815.
88 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
together, and the Argus struck just as the British were ahout to
board.'
The Pelican carried twenty-one guns, including sixteen 32-pound
carronades, four long 6's, and one 12-pound canonade. The Argus
carried twenty guns — eighteen 24-pound carronades and two long
12's." The crew of the Pelican consisted of 113 men, the crew
of the Argus of 104. Seven men were killed and wounded in
the Pelican, among the killed being Master's Mate "SYiUiam Young,
and twenty-four in the Argus. Both ships were tolerably well
cut up. The difference in force was less than as five to four ;
whereas the difference in loss was greater than three to one. In
other words, the Pelican displayed superiority in efticiency as well
as superiority in weight. The Argus made a distinctly poor fight.
She did not inflict much damage, and though the officers behaved
well, most of them being killed or wounded, the crew had lost less
than a fourth of their number when they surrendered. The Pelican
herself did not show to much advantage, her gunnery being poor.
In short, the action was directly the reverse of that between the
Chesapeake and the Shannon. Broke won because he did even
better than his gallant and skilful antagonist ; but the Pelican won,
although she did poorly, because her antagonist did very badly
indeed. The shortcomings of the Argus have never been adequately
explained, for her commander was a man of proved courage and
ability. It was afterwards stated that her powder was poor, and
that her crew were over-tired, and some of them intoxicated.^ It
seems evident that Lieutenant Allen had become over-confident, and
had let his men fall off in their gimneiy, and yet had engaged a
heavier antagonist when his people were worn out with fatigue.*
' Letter of Maples, Aug. 14th, 1813.
- James gives the armament of the two brigs tlms : —
Pelican. Argus.
16 32-pr. carrs. 18 24-pr. carrs.
2 long 6-prs. 2 long British 12-prs.2
1 12-pr. boat carr.'
2 brass 6-prs.'
Broadside weight of metal, 262 lbs. Broadside weight of metal, 228 lbs.
1 Not reckoned as part of the broadside. The G-prs. ^ero iu the stem ports, where they inconvenienced the
man at the helm.
= The 12-prs. were in her bridle ports, and not in her broadside. W. L. C.
' Cooper ; and minutes of court of inquiry.
* Lieutenant W. H. Allen, of the Argus, after having his thigh amputated, died at
Plymouth on August 18th, and was buried there on the 21st. Commander Maples
was posted on August 23rd, as a reward for his success. He died, after retirement
with the rank of Rear- Admiral, in 1847.— W. L. C.
1813.] THE "EXTEKPIilSE" AND THE "liOXEH. 89
The next engagement was in favour of the Americans. The
only one of the small American gun-brigs left was the Enterprise,
Lieutenant William Burrows. Two bow-chasers had been crowded
into her bridle-ports, and she was overmanned, mounting fourteen
18-pr. carronades and two long 9's, with a crew of 120 men. She
was a very lucky little vessel, both before and after the engagement
now to be told, and, though a dull sailer, of weak force, she managed
to escape capture, and in her turn captured a number of British
privateers. One of these privateers, moimting fourteen long 9's with
a crew of seventy-nine men, showed fight, and only struck after
receiving a broadside which killed and wounded four of her crew.
Later, being chased by a frigate, the Enterprise had to throw over-
board all her guns but two in order to escape.
In the summer of 1813 she was kept cruising off the eastern
coast to harass the Nova Scotian and New Brunswick privateers.
On September 5th, while standing along shore near Penguin Point, a
few miles to the eastward of Portland, Maine, she descried at anchor
inside the British gun-brig Boxer, Commander Samuel Blyth, of
about her own size, but with two carronades less,^ and only sixty-
six men in crew. The Boxer at once hoisted ensigns, fore and aft,
and bore up for the Enterprise, which was then standing in on the
starboard tack ; but, when the two brigs were still four miles apart,
it fell calm.''^ At mid-day a breeze sprang up from the south-west,
giving the Enterprise the weather-gage ; and she mancfiuvred for some
time before closing, in order to try the comparative rates of sailing
of the vessels. At 3 p.m. Lieutenant Burrows hoisted three ensigns,
shortened sail, and edged away towards the Boxer. Commander Blyth
had nailed his colours to the mast, telling his men that they should
never be struck while he had life in his body;^ and his little l)rig was
steered gallantly into action. Both crews were in good spirits, and
they cheered loudly as the brigs neared one another. At a quarter-
past three, when the two brigs were on the starboard tack not a half
pistol-shot apart, they opened fire, the Americans using the port,
and the British, the starboard guns. Both broadsides were very
destructive, and the two commanders fell at the very beginning of
the action. Commander Blyth was killed by an 18-pound shot, which
passed through his body while he was standing on the quarter-deck.
' 'I'hc Boxer, moreuvei-, had twu long 6'b, instead of long 9-prs. — W. L. C.
^ Letter of Lieuteiiaut Edward U. McCaU, U.S.N., Sept. 5th, 1813.
' 'Naval Clirouicie,' .\xxii. 1)12.
90
THE WAl! WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15.
[1813.
The second in command, Lieutenant David M'Creeiy, continued
to fight the brig. At almost the same time Lieutenant Burrows
felL He had laid hold of a gun-tackle fall to help the crew of a
carronade to run out the gun. In doing so he raised one leg
against the bulwark, and a canister-shot struck his thigh, glancing
into his body and inflicting a fearful wound.' In spite of the pain,
he refused to be carried below, and lay on the deck caUing out to
the men, and cheering them to the fight. Lieutenant Edward E.
COMMANDER S.\MUEL lil.YTH, R.X.
(From Blooil's portrait hi tlic " Naral Clironieh," 1S14. 1
M'Cal! took command in his place. After a quarter of an hour's
yardarm and yardarm work, the Enterprise ranged ahead, rounded
to on the starboard tack, and raked the Boxer. She shot away the
Boxer's main topmast and topsail-yard ; but the British crew kept
up the fight bravely, with the exception of four men, who deserted
their quarters and were afterwards court-martialled for cowardice.
However, there was now no chance of success. The Enterprise set
her foresail, so as to keep on the starboard bo^^■ of the Boxer, and
' Cooper, ii. 259.
1813.] DEATH OF BLYTII. 91
raked her until she surrendered, half an hour after the fight began,
she being then entirely unmanageable and defenceless. Lieutenant
Burrows would not go below until he had received the sword of his
adversary, when he exclaimed, " I am satisfied ; I die contented.'"
Both brigs had suffered severely, especially the Boxer, which
had been hulled repeatedly. The Enterprise s injuries were chiefly
aloft. The difference in loss of men was less than the difference in
damage to the brigs. Twelve of the Americans and twenty-one of
the British were killed or wounded. The British court-martial attri-
buted the defeat of the Boxer " to a superiority in the enemy's force,
principally in the number of men, as well as to a greater degree of
skill in the direction of her fire, and to the destructive effects of the
first broadsides." ' The main factor was the superioritj' in force,
the difference in loss being very nearly proportional to it. Both
sides fought with equal bravery ; and the difference in skill, though
appreciable, was not marked. At a naval dinner given at New York
shortly afterwards one of the toasts offered was, " The crew of the
Boxer ; enemies by law, but by gallantry brothers." The two
commanders were l)oth buried at Portland with all the honours
of war.-
The fight had taken place so close to the shore that it could be
both seen and heard. Among those who listened to the guns was
Longfellow, who long afterwards commemorated the battle in verse.
Connnander Blyth was a man of high personal courage, noted for his
gentleness and courtesy. He had been one of Captain Lawrence's
pall-bearers, and, shortly before his death, had been pubhcly thanked
by the militia connnander of one of the Maine districts for the
kindness and humanity which he had shown to the inhabitants.
The blockade of the American coast as a whole was far more
important than any of the single ship actions ; but the incidents to
rcli(!ve the monotony were so few that there is little to chronicle
beyond the fact of the blockade itself, and the further fact that it
told upon every article which any American bought or sold, and that
it put every man to such trou])le and inconvenience, if not to sucii
positive want, as to cause formidable discontent. It was the mere
presence of the ships that accomplished this — their ceaseless standing
' Minutes of court-ni.irtial on board H.M.S. Surprise, Jan. 8th, 181-t.
* Coiiiiiiiuidcr S;»niuel Blyth, born in 178;i, hail held his rank since September 5th,
1811. Jf my memory of the spot serves me aright, a single tree oversliadows the
graves of both commanders. — \Y. L. C.
92 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
to and fro off the coast and at the mouths of the harbours. American
merchant vessels had been almost driven from the ocean, although
many ran in and out of the New England ports, until, within the
closing months of the war, the blockade was applied to New England
also in all its rigour. On the high seas the British took many
American ships ; but they were mostly privateers, or the prizes of
privateers, for there were not many merchantmen to capture. No
vigilance by the blockading squadrons could prevent many cruisers,
pubhc and private, built especially to run and to fight, from shpping
out of port; and, of the prizes, enough got in to pay well in a certain
proportion of cases ; but mere cargo ships had to undergo such risks
that they could only be compensated for by trebhng and qiiadrupling
the prices of the cargoes. The weary sameness of the blockade was
broken by occasional descents to harry the coast, or by cutting-out
expeditions against gunboats and privateers. Of course, these were
mere incidents, valuable chiefly as relieving the monotony of the life,
though, in the case of the descents, they had a certain effect in
harassing and worrying the Americans. Even the damage done hy
these expeditions, however, probably caused as much anger as
wilUngness to come to terms. It was the constant pressure of
the blockade itself that counted, together with the opportunities
which it offered for descents in force, rather than the mere harrying
expeditions.
It was early in April, 1813, when Kear-Admiral George Cockburn
first began to harry the shores of the Chesapeake in earnest. His
little flotilla was manned by but four or five hundred men ; yet he
stationed himself at the mouth of the Susquehanna and supplied the
whole British fleet with provisions from American towns and farms;
and no effort worth speaking of was made to molest him. All
Maryland was fiercely excited and angered ; but Maryland had to
learn the lesson that, after war has begim, it is impossible to do
much by improvised means of defence against a trained enemj- who
can choose his own point of attack. The militia here and there
gathered for resistance ; but Cockburn's veterans, sailors and soldiers,
dispersed them with the utmost ease. He destroyed a large cannon
foundry, he burned all the towns where there was any resistance,
and, early in May, he brought back his flotilla to Sir John Borlase
Warren, having had but one man wounded during the month which
he had spent working his will among the Marjlanders. The American
newspapers denounced him bitterly as a buccaneer ; but thej' should
1813.] THE ATTACK ON NOliFOLK. 93
have denounced even more severely themselves and their political
leaders. It was a bitter disgrace to the American people that they
should be powerless to resent or repel such insults to their shores ;
and it was a severe commentary on their tolly in having refused in
the past, and even at the time refusing, to organise the thoroughly
trained forces l)y sea and land which alone could prevent or avenge
such a catastrophe.
This expedition showed that the villages and country districts
were completely at the mercy of the British. There were three
towns of importance, Baltimore, Washington, and Norfolk, which
were also within striking distance of the fleet ; and, in June, AVarren
made up his mind to attack one of these. He chose Norfolk,
because there was the Portsmouth Navy Yard, and there lay the
ConsfeUation frigate. The expedition, however, miscarried, although
the Admiral had at his disposal three thousand troops and thirteen
war vessels. The land forces became entangled among some deep
creeks, and re-embarked without making any serious effort to
carry out their part of the programme. The attack by the Navy
was made in a division of fifteen boats with seven hundred men,
under the command of Captain Samuel John Pechell of the San
Domingo, 74. Captain John Martin Hanchett, of the Diadem h\g&iQ,
led the way in his launch. The point chosen for attack was Craney
Island, where a battery of six 18-prs. had been erected and put in
charge of a hundred sailors and fifty marines from the Constellation,
under Lieutenants Neale, Shubrick, Saunders, and Breckinbridge of
that ship.' The water was shallow, and the attack was not pushed
with the resolution ordinarily displayed by the British Navy in an
enterprise of the kind. The Constellation's men reserved their fire
until the British were close in, when they opened with destructive
effect. While still more than seventy yards from the guns, the
Diadem's launch grounded. Three of the boats were sunk by shot,
but remained above water, as it was so shallow ; and, in the heat of
the fight, some of the Constellation's crew, headed by Midshipman
Tatnall, waded out and took possession.- Some of the crews
.surrendered and went ashore with their captors ; the others
escaped to the remaining boats, which innuediately afterwards
made off in disorder, having lost ninety-one men.'' The assailants
' Letter of Captain John CaKBin, June 23i(l, 1813.
^ 'Life of Commodore Josiali 'I'atniill,' by Cliarlcs C. Jones, ]). 17.
» James, vi. 233 [Ed. 1837.]
94 THE WAR WITH THE USITED STATES, 1^12-15. [Ibi3.
afterwards strove to justify themselves by asserting that the
bottom was covered with shme and mud too deep to admit of
their getting on shore ; but this was certainly not the case, as it
did not prevent Tatnall and his companions from wading out to
them, and from retttrning in safety with the prisoners. The
Americans suffered no loss.
This took place on June 22nd, 1813. Smarting under the
repulse, Warren, on the 2.5th, sent Cockburn, accompanied by a
land force tinder Major-General Sir Sydney Beckwith, to attack
Hampton village. The militia on that occasion gave Beckwith a
rather stout fight, killing and wounding some fifty men before they
were dispersed. The town was then taken and destroyed with cir-
citmstances of horrible outrage. Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Napier, of
the 102nd Regiment, commanded Beckwith's advance, and prevented
his men from joining in the deeds of the " miscreants," as he called
them. He "svrote, with intense indignation, that the troops perpe-
trated with impunitj' " every horror — rape, murder, pillage — and
not a man was punished ; " and he blamed Sir Sydney for not
hanging several of the villains.' Nothing was done, however;
and the affair caused bitter anger in America, leading to reprisals
and counter-reprisals on the Canadian frontier. Although none of
the offenders were punished, both Sir John "Warren and General
Beckwith took steps to prevent any repetition of the outrages,
dismissing from the service a regiment of French deserters in
British paj', who were alleged to be the chief offenders.^ During
the remainder of the year Wan-en cruised off Chesapeake Bay and
at the moitth of the lower Potomac, keeping Virginia and Maryland
in a state of incessant alarm ; which makes it all the more
wonderful that those States were not roused to take measures for
efficient defence. Cockburn sailed south to harry the coast of
the Carolinas and Georgia. Colonel Napier went with him to
North Carolina to take part in the descents, and left on record
' ' Life of General Sir Charles James Napier,' i. 221, 225.
- James (vi. 234, ed. 1837), while admitting that outrages were committed, makes
a feeble attempt to minimise them by quoting from the Georgetown Federal Bepub-
lican, of July 7th, 1813, the following; "The statement of the women of Hampton
being violated by the British turns out to be false. A correspondence upon that
subject, and the pillage said to have been committed there, has taken place between
General Taylor and Admiral Warren. Some plunder appears to have been committed,
but it was confined to the French troops employed." If the outrages were perpetrated
by troops in British pay, Britain was, unhappily, responsible for what occurred ; and
Xapier's testimony pnits the question of outrage beyond challenge. — W. L. C.
1813.] ATTACK O.V THE "JUNON:' 95
his distaste for what he called " a necessary part of our job, viz.,
plundering and ruining the peasantry . . . (for) no outrages have
been authorised on persons, though much on property, unavoidably."
Meanwhile the American gunboats had on one or two occasions
made efforts to harass the British blockading squadrons, with
ludicrously futile results. The gunboats were sloop or schooner-
rigged, and armed with one or two long heavy guns, and occasion-
ally with light carronades to repel boarders. The larger gunboats
were useful in convoying parties of small coasting vessels from one
port to another ; and they interfered with the British boats and
tenders, and also kept privateers off the coast. The smaller gunboats,
which were chiefly employed in attacks on the frigates, had been
built in accordance with Jefferson's theory of coast protection, and
they proved utterly worthless. They trusted mainly to their sweeps
for motive power, and each was usually armed with a long 1'2 or
18-pounder. They could be used only in an almost absolute calm,
for in any wind it was not only impossible to fire, but also difficult
to keep the boats right side up. Both officers and men hated the
gunboat service, and were so convinced of the uselessness of the
vessels that they made but half-hearted attempts to do anything
with them. The gunboats were much smaller and in every way
inferior to the big Danish gunboats, which, during the same period,
did at times efficient work on the coast of Denmark. That the
fault lay in the boats themselves, and not in the crews who manned
them, was proved by the great gallantry with which the latter
afterwards behaved at Bladensburg.
On June '20th fifteen gunboats attacked the Jiiiioii, 88, Captain
James Sanders, while she; lay becalmed in Hampton road. The
gunboats anchored while still at a very long range, and promptly
drifted round, so that they could not shoot. They then got under
way, and gradually drew nearer the Junon. A long-range cannonade
followed, in wliicli the Jiiikui was very slightly injured, and the
gunboats suffered not at all ; Imt as soon as a slight breeze sprung
up, the Banvsa, 80, Captain William Henry Shirreft', approached,
and promptly drove off the flotilla ; lor as soon as they felt the
effects of the breeze the gunboats became useless, and could only
retire. The only loss they suffered was one man killed and two
wounded, from the Barrosa's fire.
On that occasion the Jiinoii did little better than the gunboats ;
but she had her revenue a montli later. On Julv 29th she was
96 THE WAI! WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
in Delaware Bay with the ship-sloop Martin, 18, Commander
Humphrey Fleming Henhouse, when the latter grounded on the
outside of Crow's Shoal. The frigate anchored within supporting
distance ; and shortl_y afterwards the two ships were attacked by
a flotilla of ten American gunboats. Besides the usual disadvantages
of gimboats, these particular ones suffered under an additional
handicap, for their powder was so bad that all of the officers had
joined in a solemn protest to the Navy Department, and had
stated that it was unfit for service.^ The flotilla kept at a
distance which permitted an hour's cannonading with no damage
to anybody, their own shot failing to reach even the brig, while
those of the frigate occasionally passed over them. During the
firing, gunboat No. 121, Sailing-Master Shead, drifted a mile and
a half away from her consorts. This gave the British an oppor-
tunity, of which thej' took prompt advantage. They made a dash
for No. 121 in seven boats, containing one hundred and forty men,
under the command of Lieutenant Philip Westphal. Mr. Shead
anchored, and made an obstinate defence ; but at the second
discharge of his long-gun the carriage was almost torn to pieces,
and he was reduced to the use of small-arms." The British boats
advanced steadily, firing their boat carronades and musketry, and
carried the gunboat by boarding, though not without a loss of three
killed or mortallj' wounded, and four wounded, while seven of the
twenty-five members of the gunboat's crew suffered likewise.
At about the same time the boats of the British brig-sloops
Contest and Mohaich, imder the command of Lieutenant Bodger
Carley Curry, made an attack on the little gmiboat Asp, 3, com-
manded by Midshipman Sigourney, w'hen she was moored in
Yeocomico Creek, out of the Chesapeake, on July 11th. After a
murderous conflict, in which eleven Americans, including Mr.
Sigoumey, and eight British, including Lieutenant Cuny, were
killed or wounded, the British carried the Asj) and set her on fire.
However, the surviving Americans, nine in number, escaped to the
shore, rallied mider Midshipman McClintock, and, as soon as the
British retired, boarded the As}), put out the flames, and got her
into fighting order. ^ They were not again molested.
' Navy Department MSS., ' Masters Commandants' Letters,' 1813, No. 3 ; enclosed
in letter of Master-Commandant Samuel Angus.
2 Letter of Mr. Shead, Aug. 5th, 1813.
= Letter of Midshipman McClintock, July 15th, 1813 ; also James, vi. 236 (Ed. 1837).
1813.] no AT ATTACKS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY, ETC. 97
Shortly before this, on June l"ith, the boats of the I^iitish
fi"igate Narcissus, 3'2, Captain John Hichai-d Lumley, containing
fiftj' men under the command of Lieutenant John Cririe, captured
the httle cutter Siirveyor, 6, under Mr. Wilham S. Travis, with
a crew of fifteen men, as she lay in York River, out of the
Chesapeake.' The struggle was brief but blood}-, five Americans
and nine British being killed or wounded. Lieutenant Cririe led his
men with distinguished gallantry, and proved himself a generous
victor, for he returned Mr. Travis's sword with a letter running :
" Your gallant and desperate attempt to defend your vessel against
more than double your number on the night of the l'2th instant
excited such admiration on the part of your opponents as I have
seldom witnessed . . . and I am at a loss which to admire most — the
previous arrangements on board the Sun^eijor, or the determined
manner in which her deck was disputed inch by inch."
In January, 1814, the little United States coasting schooner
Alligator, of four guns and forty men, Sailing-Master R. Bassett,
was attacked by the boats of a British frigate and brig, after night-
fall, while lying at anchor in the mouth of the Stone River, South
Carolina. Two of her men were killed and two wounded ; but the
boats were beaten off with severe loss, one of them being captured. -
Besides these engagements with the United States' armed vessels,
boat-parties from the British two-deckers and frigates destroyed
many privateers and merchantmen all along the coast from New
England to Georgia, as well as on the high seas. Some of the
privateers showed fight ; and of tbem some behaved with courage
that would have done credit to any ship in the regular navy, while
others betrayed panic or inefficiency which would have disgraced
the worst ship in the worst i-egular navy afloat. In short, they were
the militia of the sea, and they could not be depended upon for
steady fighting, though at times their feats were brilliant to a
degree ; for, unlike the militia of the land, they were trained to the
profession of aims, and they followed by choice a pursuit of peiil
and hazard.
A good example of llie wide variety in behaviour of the privateers
under similar circumstances was afforded by two incidents which
occurr(!d in Chesapeake Bay early in 1813. On Feln-uary stli nine
boats, witli two biiinlrcd men undci' the cunnnand of Lieutenant
' Letter of \V. S. 'I'lavis, Jiiiie Hitli, l.'Sl.'J.
* Letters of liassett, Jan. 31«t, 1814, and Coiiiiiiaiulei- J. LL Dent, Vvh. 'Jlsl, ISl I.
VOL. VL H
98 THE WAIi WITH THE VXITED STATES, l,siL'-15. [1813.
Kelly Nazer, from the four British frigates, Belvidera, Maidstone,
Junon, and Statira, were sent against the schooner Lottery, John
Sonthcomb, master, a letter of marque of six 12-ponnder carronades,
and twenty-hve men, bound from Baltimore to Bordeaux. A calm
came on, enabling the boats to overtake the schooner ; and they
spread out, then closing in with a rush. The schooner^ was
speedily carried, but only after an obstinate struggle, in which
Southconib and nineteen of his crew, together with six of the
assailants, w"ere killed or wounded. Southcomb, mortally wounded,
was taken on board the Belvidera, where Captain Eichard Byron (2)
treated him with the kind and considerate courtesy which always
marked that brave officer's dealings with his foes ; and, when South-
comb died, his liody was sent ashore with every mark of respect due
to a brave officer. Captain Stewart, of the Constellation, wrote
Captain Byron a letter thanking him for his generous conduct.^
On March 16th, 1813, a smaller British division of five boats
and one hi;ndred and five men, commanded by Lieutenant James
Polkinghorne, attacked the privateer schooner Dolphin, and the
letters of marque liacer, Arab, and Lynx, mounting all told thirty
guns, with an aggi'egate of one hundred and sixty men. Polking-
horne's force was greatly inferior : nevertheless it dashed in with
the utmost gallantry, and the privateersmen speedily became panic-
stricken. The Aral) and Lynx surrendered at once. The Bacer was
carried, after a sharp struggle in which Polkinghorne was wounded ;
and her guns were turned on the Dolphin. Most of the latter's crew
jumped overboard. A few rallied round their captain, but they were
at once scattered as the British seamen came on board. ■* It was an
unusually brilliant and daring cutting-out expedition.*
The American gunboats occasionally captured British privateers,
and on more than one occasion cut them out, when they were
becalmed or at anchor, with boat-parties ; but they did nothing
' The Lottery was added to the Royal Navy as the Canso, 16. — W. L. C.
- The whole correspondence is given in full in 'Xiles's Register,' February and
March numbers.
^ See Xiles for this ; also James's ' Xaval Occurrences.'
■* In this affair, besides Lieutenant Polkinghorne, Lieutenant AVilliam Alexander
Brand, Lieutenant William Richard Flint, R.M., Midshipman John Sleigh, and 7 men
were wounded. In spite of its gallant nature, no medal was ever granted for it. The
Americans lost 16 killed and wounded. The Bacer became the SheJhurne, 14, and the
Lynx, the Mus^jttedobei, 14, in the Royal Navy. Polkinghorne was not made a Com-
mander until June 27th, 1814. He was posted on August 2oth, 1828, and died on
January 9th, 1839.— W. L. C.
I
1813-14.]
SEVERITY OF THE BLOCKADE.
99
of any especial note in that way. Tliey also at times cut off
tenders to the British war vessels, or interfered with the British
cutting-out expeditions.
In the spring of 1814 the command of the British Heet on
the coast of North America was given to Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander
Forester Inglis Cochrane.^ The main British force continued to
lie in the Chesapeake.
During 1818 and 1811 the blockade of the American coast was
ADMIHAI, TllK HON. SIS ALt.\.4MJKH loKHSTliK INQI.IS COfllRANf:, O.f.U.
(From the portniit In hrniton'.^ Jllsturit.)
80 severe that only occasionally could American frigates get t</
sea ; and those that did get to sea failed to accomplish anything.
Once or twice one of the American 44"s chased a British l8-pounder
frigate and failed to come up with her ; and once or twice tliey were
themselves chased by a couple of 18-pounder frigates and escaped.
' Adiiiiiiil Sir .Jdlin Borlase Warren, whom Cochrane superseded, was only Bixty-
uuc years of age, but was very inlirin. Coclirane was but lil'ty-Hix. — W. L. C.
H 2
100 THE WAB WITH THE UMTED STATES, 1812-l.->. [1813-14.
They captured a few meicliantmen and picked up one or two small
British cruisers, while two or three small American cruisers, brigs,
or schooners were lost in the same way ; but nothing of importance
happened to any American frigates, with one exception.
That exception was the Essex, 32, Captain David Porter, which
spent most of the year 1813 in the Pacific. The Essex had left the
United States on October '28th, 181'2. As she expected to make
a very long cruise, she carried an unusual quantity of provisions, and
sixty more men than ordinarily, so as to man any ships which she
might capture. She cruised in the South Atlantic for two or three
months, capturing some valuable prizes. Porter then decided on
the very bold course of doubling Cape Horn, and striking at the
British whalers in the Pacific.
This was practically going into the enemy's waters, for there were
no stations where the Essex coiild refit in safety, while South America
and South-Eastern Asia were full of ports friendly to the British.
No American frigate had ever before gone into the Pacific ; and,
during all the long European warfare, no one of Great Britain's
enemies had ventured to attack her in the remote South Seas.
At the end of the winter the Essex doubled the Horn, and sailed
into the harbour of Valparaiso. On March 20th she captured a
Peruvian corsair, the Nereyda, which had been harassing American
whalers. Porter threw her guns and smaU-arms overboard, and sent
her into port. The Spanish colonies were at that time in open
revolt against Spain, both sides bidding for the favour of Britain ;
and there was lawlessness throughout the South Seas. The
American whalers had been in great danger of capture, but Porter's
appearance saved them. He cruised hither and thither to the
different islands and archipelagoes most frequented by whaling
vessels ; and, as by-play, he took part in the wars of the savages.
He saved all the American whalers, and did not cost the government
a dollar, supplying everything from his prizes — sails, guns, anchors,
provisions, medicine, and even money to pay the officers and the
men. He completely broke up the British whaling trade in the
Pacific, capturing or destroying four thousand tons of shipping, and
making prisoners of four hmidred men. One or two of the prizes
he turned into tenders ; and these and the boat-parties had one or
two smart skirmishes in capturing such of the whalers as were
armed letters of marque.^
' In Porter's own book this cruise is described at length.
1814.]
THE "ESSEX" nUOUGIIT TO BAY.
101
Early in January, 1814, he returned to the South American
coast, and again made the liarhour of Valparaiso. One of the
captured whalers, rechristened the Essex Junior,'^ was in com-
pany as a tender. On February JStli the British frigate Phoebe, 36,
Captain James Hillyar, accompanied by the ship-sloop Cherub, 18,
C'onnnander Thomas Tudor Tucker, made their appearance in the
harljour. They had been sent to the Pacific especially to capture
fAPTAIN' DAVID rOUTER, U.S.N.
l.lSkr It crtu/fj/t jitniruH hi/ J. Wood,)
Porter, to break up the American whaling trade, and to destroy the
American fur-stations at the mouth of the Columbia. When they
came into the harbour Pnrt(!r was afraid that they might try to
carry the Essex out of Imiul witlmiit regard to the neutrality laws.
The Essex was put in fighting trim. The I'luehc came so near her
— whether by accident, as Hillyar asserted, or by design, aS Porter
insisted, cannot be said — that a collision seemed imminent; but
' Previously t'lio Allaidic. — W. L. C.
102 THE WAIl WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
neither captain -was Avilling to begin the fray, and the peace of the
port was not broken.
The British ships began a blockade of the port which lasted over
a month. Porter was anxious to meet the Phoebe alone, and Hillj-ar
was equally detennined to use the advantage which his two ships
gave him. He was quite right in refusing single combat except on
his own terms. The Pha-he was armed like the Essex with fort}-
six guns ; but on her main-deck she carried long 18's, so that at a
distance she could cut the Essex to pieces without suffering any
material loss or damage. Her crew consisted of over three hundr-ed
men, while that of the Essex numbered but two hundred and fifty-
five. But, on the occasions when he sought a single combat. Porter
took the crew of the Essex Junior on board, which gave him
sixty men additional. In such circumstances the widely different
armaments of the two frigates made it difficult to foretell the
result of a combat between them. In ordinary circumstances, and
taking into account the ordinary chances and vicissitudes of naval
warfare, the Phiehe's armament was beyond all comparison the
better ; but the Essex was the swifter ship, and at close quarters her
carronades threw, of course, a greater weight in broadside than the
long-guns to which they were opposed, while, when she had the crew
of the Essex Junior on board, the complements of the two ships were
about equal, while the crew of the Essex had been especially trained
with a view to boarding. If his speed had enabled him to close,
Porter would have had more than an even chance of winning ;
whereas he had no chance at all in action at a distance. HiUyar
was irot in the South Pacific as a naval knight-errant. His busi-
ness there was to capture the Essex. It would have been folly to
risk the result on a doubtful single ship duel, instead of utilising
his superiority in force, and trj-ing to get his antagonist at a dis-
advantage. The Cherub was a small frigate-built sloop, mounting
twenty-six guns, with a crew of about 160 men. All her guns were
carronades, excepting two long bow-chasers.
Toward the end of March Porter decided to run out of harbour
on the first opportunity, so as to draw away his two antagonists in
chase, and let the Essex Junior escape; for Porter had satisfied
himself that his ship was faster than either of the British ships.
After he had come to this conclusion, the two vessels were kept
always ready, the Essex having only her proper complement of
255 men on board.
1814.] THE "rirrEBE" AND THE "ESSEX." 103
On March '28th it came on to blow from the south, and the
Essex parted her cables. She then got under waj- and made sail,
Porter having determined to put his plan in operation. The
British vessels were close in witli tlie weathermost point of the
bay, and Porter hauled up to pass to windward of them. Just as he
was rounding the outermost point, and when safety was almost
within his grasp, a heavy squall struck the Essex, and her main
topmast went by the board. Porter then committed a grave error.
David Glasgow Farragut,' then a midshipman, and afterwards the
greatest admiral of the American navy, was on board the Essex ; and
in after-life he always expressed the opinion that she should have
run before the wind, which liad shifted, and have tried to escape
into the open sea ; for Farragut beheved that, even with her
topmast out, she would have been faster before the wind than the
Phwbe, and certainly much faster than the Cherub. This at least
would have given her a chance to escape : otherwise she had
no chance at all."
However, the Essex tried to get back to the harbour, and
failing, because of her crippled condition, she anchored, at 3.40 p.m.,
in a small bay three miles from A'alparaiso, and half a mile from
a detached Chilian battery. She was within pistol-shot of the
shore, and was as much entitled to the benefit of neutral rights
as when in Valparaiso harbour ; but neutral rights have shifting
values, and Hillyar had no idea of letting his foe escape when
disabled and within his grasp.
The Plia'be and Cherub bore d(jwn upon the Essex, covered with
ensigns, union jacks, and motto flags ; and the Essex made ready to
receive them, her flags flying from every mast.^ The fight was
begun before the springs could be got on her cables. Hillyar made
his attack with extreme caution, taking his frigate under the stern
of the Essex, while the Cherub took her position on the American's
starlxiiird how. The action began soon after four in the afternoon.
The Essex's l)ow-chasers speedily drove off tlie Clirnib, wliii-li i-an
' David Glasgow Farragut, born in Tennessee, of part Spanish ancestry, July otli,
1801 ; gained undying fame as a naval commander in tlie American Civil War,
1861-65, notably at New Orleans and in lloliilc Bay ; was the first otVioer to be given
the rank of Admiral in tlie United States Navy; visited KuroiHS, 181)7-08; died in
New York, August 1-ltli, 1870. IJ/e Ijy L. Farragut, by Ileadley, and by Mahan. —
W. L. C.
* ' Life of Farragut,' by his son, Loyall Farragut, pp. 37-46.
' Letters of Captain Hillyar, March 30th, 1814, and Captain Porter, July .trd, isl I.
i
104 THE WAII Wirn the UXITED states, 1812-15. [1814.
down and stationed herself near the Phabc. The latter opened
with her broadside of long 18's from a position in which not one of
Porter's guns could reach her. Three times springs were got on the
cables of the Essex, in order to bring her round until her broad-
side bore ; but in each instance they were shot away. Three long 1
12's were then got out of the stern-ports ; and with these a brisk fire
was kept up, aimed especially at the rigging of the British ships.
A good many of the Essex's crew were killed during the first five
minutes, before she could bring any guns to bear ; but afterwards she
did not suffer much. Meanwhile her own long 1'2's were so well
handled that, after a quarter of an hour's firing, the Phoebe and
Cherub were actually driven off. They wore, and again began with
their long-guns, but found themselves at too great range to accom-
plish anything ; and about half an hour after the first shot had been
fired, the British ships hauled out of the fight for the time being.
" Our first fire . . . produced no visible effect ; our second . . .
was not apparently more successful ; and, having lost the use of
our main-sail, jib, and main-stay, appearances were a little in-
auspicious," wrote Captain Hillyar in his official report.
The damages were soon repaired, and the two ships stood back
for the Essex. The Phoebe anchored off her port (juarter, at about
5.35 P.M., while the Cherub kept under way, using her long bow-
chasers. They were out of reach of Porter's carronades, his long-
guns would not bear, and the enemy was gradually knocking the
Essex to pieces without suffering any damage in return. This could
not be borne, and at 5.50 Porter severed his cable and tried to close
with his antagonists. His rigging and sails were cut almost to
pieces. Still, the Essex drove down on her assailants, and for the
first time got near enough to use her carronades. After exchanging
a couple of broadsides, the Cherub hauled out of the fight, and the
PJiU'be also edged off. The latter now possessed the superiority of
sailing, for her foe was almost helpless, and so Hillyar was able to
choose his own distance. Again he opened with his long 18's, out
of range of the Essex's carronades. All that Porter could do was
to reply with his long 12's. There was no hope of success left, but
the Essex was not yet ready to surrender.
From that point on it was a slaughter rather than a battle.
The carnage in the American frigate made her decks look like
shambles. Throughout the entire war no ship on either side was so
desperately defended as the Essex, taking into account the frightful
1814.] DEFENCE OF THE "ESSEX." 105
odds against which she fou^'ht ; indeed, the Frolic, the Reindeer,
and the Lawrence were the only ships which in this respect
deserved any comparison with her. Captain Hillyar in his official
report says, " The defence of the Essex, taking into consideration
our superiority of force, and the very discouraging circumstances of
her having lost her main topmast, and heing twice on fire, did
honour to her brave defenders, and fully evinced the courage of
Captain Porter and those under his command." A middle-aged man,
cool and wary, he very properly declined to expose his men to
needless danger ; but his first Lieutenant, William Ingram, a hot-
headed, impulsive young fellow, begged him to close and run Porter
aboard, for it was " deliberate murder" to lie off at long range and
use a defenceless foe as a target. Poor gallant Ingram was himself
slain in the fight, a .splinter striking him in the head as he stood by
the rail.
Midshipman Farragiit was naturally enough very much impressed
by his baptism of fire, and he has preserved for us most of what we
know of what occurred on board the Essex during the time ni'
slaughter that preceded her surrender.
One gun was manned three times, fifteen men being slain at it.
Its captain alone escaped without a wound. As Farragut stood
by another gun, he saw four of its crew killed by a single ball.
There were but one or two instances of flinching. The wounded,
many of whom were killed by flying splinters while under the
hands of the doctors, cheered on their comrades, and themselves
worked the guns until the mortal weakness came upon them. At
one of the guns was a young Scotsman named Bissly, who had one
leg shot off close to the groin. Using his handkerchief as a
touiiii(]uet, he said, turning to his American shipmates, " I left my
own country and adopted the United States to fight for her. I
hope I have this day proved myself worthy of the coitntry of my
adoption. I am no longer of any use to you or to her, so good-
bye ! " With these words he leaned on the sill of the port and tiirew
himself overboard. Among the very few men who flinched was one
named William lioach. Porter sent one of his midshipmen to shoot
him, but lie was not to be found. He was discovered by a man
named William Call, whose leg bad been shot otf and was hanging
by the skin, and who dragged the shattered stump all round the bag-
house, pistol in hand, trying to get a shot at the fellow. A singular
feature of Koach's cowardice was that on previous occasions ho had
106 THE WAl! WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
shown much courage. He could fight well when there was a hope
of victory, but he flinched in the awful hour of disaster. Lieutenant
J. G. Cowell had his leg shot off above the knee, and his life might
have been saved had it been amputated at once ; but the surgeons
had already rows of wounded men waiting for them, and when it
was proposed to him that he should be attended to out of order, he
replied, " No, doctor, none of that — fair play's a jewel ! One man's
life is as dear as another's. I would not cheat any poor fellow out of
his turn."
Finding it hopeless to try to close, Porter stood for the land,
intending to run the Essex ashore and burn her. But when she had
drifted close to the bluffs, the w-ind suddenly shifted, took her flat
aback, and paid her head ofi' shore, exposing her to a raking fire. At
that moment Lieutenant John Downes, commanding the Essex
Junior, pulled out in a boat, in spite of the cannonade, to see if
he could do anything. Three of the men with him, including
an old boatswain's mate named Kingsbury, had come out expressly
" to share the fate of the old ship " ; so they remained on board,
and in their places Lieutenant Downes took some of the wounded
ashore under a heavy fire. The shift of the wind gave Porter
a faint hope of closing ; and once more the crippled and riddled
Essex was headed for her foes. But Hillyar put his helm up
to avoid close quarters. The battle was his already, and he was
too good an officer to leave anything to chance. Seeing that he
could not close. Porter had a hawser bent on the sheet-anchor,
which he let go. This brought the ship's head round, keeping
her stationary ; and, from such of her guns as were not dis-
momited and had men enough left to man them, a broadside was
fired at the Plicebe. The wind was now very light, and the Pha-be,
whose masts were seriously wounded, and which had suffered
much aloft, beside receiving a number of shot between wind and
water, thus being a good deal crippled, began to drift slowly to
leeward. Porter hoped that she would drift out of gunshot ; but
even this chance was lost by the parting of the hawser, which left
the Essex at the mercy of the British vessels. Their fire was
deliberate and destructive, and could only be occasionally replied
to by a shot from one of the American's long 1'2's. The ship
caught fire, and the men came tumbling up from below with their
clothes burning. To save the lives of some of them they were ordered
to jump overboard ; and others, thinking it a general order, followed
f I
I
1814.] SUItUENDEIl OF THE "ESSEX." 107
suit, leaping into the sea and trying to swim to the land. Some
failed, and were drowned. Others succeeded : among them being one
man who had sixteen or eighteen pieces of iron in his leg, scales
from the muzzle of a gun. The old boatswain's mate, Kingsbury,
was one of those who escaped by swimming to shore, though he
was so burned that he was out of his mind for several days.
The frigate had been cut to pieces above the water-line, although,
from the smoothness of the sea, she was not harmed enough below it
to reduce her to a sinking condition. The carpenter reported that
he alone of his crew was fit for duty : the others were dead or
disabled. One of the lieutenants had been knocked overboard by a
splinter and drowned. He had as a sei-vant a little negro boy, who,
coming on deck and hearing of the disaster, deliberatelj' leaped into
the sea and shared his master's fate. Another of the lieutenants
was also knocked overboard, but was not much hurt, and swaiu back
to the ship. The only commissioned officer left on duty was
Lieutenant Decatur McKnight. Of the two hundred and fifty-five
men on board, fifty-eight had been killed, sixty-six wounded, and
thirty-one drowned, while twenty-four had succeeded in reaching
shore. Only seventy-six men were left unwounded, and many of
them had been bruised or otherwise injured. Porter himself had
been knocked down by the windage of a passing shot. Farragut had
been acting as powder-boy, messenger, and everything else. While
he was on the ward-room ladder, going below for gun-primers, the
captain of the gun directly opposite the hatchway was struck full in
the face by an 18-pounder shot, and tumbled back on him. They
fell down the hatch together, Farragut being stunned for some
minutes. Later, while standing by a man at the wheel, an old
quarter-master named Francis Bland, a shot, coming over the fore
yard-arm, took off the quarter-master's right leg, carrying away at
the same time one of Farragut's coat-tails.
Nothing remained to be done ; and at twcuity minutes past six tlu;
Essex surrendered. The Fhwhe had lost four killed, and seven
wounded ; the Cherub, one killed, and three, including Commander
Tucker, wounded; or fifteen all told.
Captain Porter in his letter spoke very bitterly of Jlillyar's
violation of the neutrality, and sneered at his excessive caution
before and during the fight. Most American writers, including even
Farragut, have repeated the denunciations and the sneers. Captain
Hillyar did, of course, l)realv the neutrality laws in circumstanceB
108 THE WAn WITH THE UNITED STATES. 1812-15. [ISU.
which made their violation peculiarly irritating ; for he paid respect
to them so long as Porter was in good fighting trim, and broke them
the minute the enemy was crippled and could be attacked with safety.
But as yet respect for international law does not stand on a level
with respect for the law of one's own land ; and the chief thing to
be considered is whether the irritation caused by the violation of
neutrality will compensate for the advantage gained. In this case
the capture of the Essex certainly compensated for any injury done
to the feelings of Chili ; and the circumstances in which the
violation of neutrality took place, though not creditable, were no
more discreditable than those which attended the capture of the
Confederate steamer Florida by a Northern cruiser in the American
Civil ^Var.
Before the action Hillyar seems to have been rather over-cautious,
showing, perhaps, too much hesitation about engaging the Essex
without the assistance of the Cherub. The Essex was the faster
ship ; and this over-caution would have resulted in her escape had it
not been for the accident which caused the loss of her top-mast.
But, in the action itself, Hillyar's conduct was eminently proper. It
would have been foolish, by coming to close quarters, to forego the
advantage which his entire masts and better artillery gave him.
He treated his prisoners with the utmost humanity and kindness.
Says Sir Howard Douglas, " The action displayed all that can reflect
honour on the science and admirable conduct of Captain Hillyar and
his crew, which, without the assistance of the Cherub, would have
insured the same termination. Captain Porter's sneers at the
respectful distance the Phwbe kept are in fact acknowledgments
of the ability with which Captain Hillyar availed himself of the
superiority of his arms."
Following the defeat of the Essex came the destruction of the
American fur-posts on the Columbia, and of what was left of the
American whaling trade in the South Seas. The Essex had made a
romantically daring cruise, and had ended her career by an exhibition
of fighting which, for dauntless courage, could not be surpassed. She
had inflicted much damage on her foes, and had given great
temporary relief to American interests ; but the fact remained that
her cruise ended in disaster, and in the sweeping of the American
flag from the Pacific. It is a very old truth, though one which
many legislators seem slow to learn, that no courage and skill on
the part of sea-ofiicers can atone for insufficiency in the number.
1812-15.] AFFAiaS OX THE GREAT LAKES. 109
aud inefficiency in the quality, of ships. To do permanent damage
to British interests in the Pacific, or anywhere else, the .Americans
would have needed, even aside from a fleet of l)attle-ships, a goodly
number of frigates as formidable as those with which tiiey won their
early victories.
Besides the ocean ones, both the United States and Great
Britain possessed inland seaboards ; for the boundary line between
the United States and Canada traversed the extreme northern end of
Lake Champlain, and went along the middle of Lakes Ontario, Erie,
Huron, and Superior. These inland waters were the scenes of
important naval engagements — important, that is, in their effects,
though they were waged between diminutive flotillas. East of Lake
Champlain practically to the ocean, and westward of it nearly to
Lake Erie, stretched a wooded wilderness, impassable for armies.
In consequence, the effort to invade either territory had to be made
in the neighbourhood of one of the lakes ; and the control of the
latter was important to the success of any offensive operations
whatsoever, and was indisj)ensable to their success if they were to
be conducted on a large scale.
The naval warfare on the lakes, therefore, differed in several
points from the naval warfare on the ocean. On the lakes, the
success of a sea tight might, and did, determine the success or the
failure of military operations the outcome of which would have
great weight upon the result of the war ; whereas, on the ocean, no
success which the American warships could win could possibly have
any other than a moral effect. In the next place, on the lakes
special flotillas had to be constructed, so that there the enormous
British preponderances in sea-might did not prevail. Finally, the
crews themselves were made up of more or less heterogeneous
elements ; and there was little difference between them in point
of skill.
The country around Lake Champlain was reasonably well settled
on both the Canadian and American sides, though very remote
from the centres of population. Both sides of Lake; Erie were
still chiefly wooded wilderness. On Lake Ontaiio tlie Canadian
side had been longer settled, and was more thickly populated than
the American. Moreover, it was easier of access, for the great river
St. Lawrence connected it witli the sea. Tiie American outposts,
however, cnulil l<ccp up thcii- connectimi witli tlie coast districts
110 THE WAB WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812. il
only through the Mohawk Valley, which in its upper part merged |
into a forest that stretched to the lakes unbroken, save by occasional
clearings and squahd log hamlets, while the roads were very bad.
On Lake Champlain both sides were entirely unprepared. On Lake
Ontario and Lake Erie the British were very much ahead. They
had on Lake Ontario a squadron of six ships, brigs, and schooners,
mounting from eight to twenty-two guns each ; while the United
States had only one brig, the Oneida, of sixteen guns. On Lake
Erie the British had another squadron of six ships — brigs and
schooners of from two to seventeen guns each.
It is quite impossible, and also quite needless, to fully detail the
make, rig, armament, and complement of all the vessels employed,
for some of the regularly built warships, and many of the sloox^s and
schooners purchased and used as siich, changed from time to time, not
only in their rig, their armament, and their complement, but even in
their names. Drafts of men from the regular navies of both nations
were soon sent up to the lakes ; but there were not enough regular
men-of-wars' men to man the ships on either side, and the deficiency
was supplied by the use of Canadian and American lake sailors, of
militia, and of regular troops. One result of this mixed character
of the force was that the superiority in training, and especially in
gunnery, shown by the American on the ocean was not shown by
the American on the lakes. There was httle in the lake actions to
show any difference in skill, as regards either the management of the
sails or the handling of the guns; and in daring, resolution, and
cottrage there was also a practical equality. It was largely a test
of the comparative merit and energy of the shipwrights. As the
operations on the three lakes were entirelj- independent of one
another, they can be considered separately.
Lake Ontario was the body of water on which the largest
squadrons were gathered by both sides, and the land in its neigh-
bourhood Avas the centre of operations in the Canadian campaigns ;
and, accordingly, this lake should have been the scene of the most
important and decisive actions. Such was not the case, however,
largely owing to the extremely cautious nature of the two men who
respectively commanded the British and the American squadrons
when they were finally put into fighting trim.
In 1812, when the war broke out, the Canadian squadron of six
ships, mounting about eighty guns, was under the command of a
1812.]
HOSTILITIES OX LAKE ONTARIO.
Ill
provincial officer named Earle, who was not in the British regular
service. The American brig Oneida, IG, Lieutenant Melancthon
Thomas Woolsey, was stationed at Sackett's Harbour, the American
headquarters on the lake, which was protected by a Httle battery
mounting one long 32-pounder. On July 1.5th Earle's squadron
made a feeble attack on the harbour. Woolsey landed some of the
Oneida's carronades, and beat off the attack without much difficulty,
the long 32 being the gun most used. On the retreat of the Canadian
CAPTAIS ISAAC CHAUNCEY, U.8.N.
(From D. Edwin's enffraviiifj, after Ihc portrait by J. Wood.)
flotilla, Woolsey prepared to take the offensive. By capture and
purchase he procured six schooners, in wbicli he mounted Iwonty-
four long guns.
In September, 1812, Captain Isaac Cliauncey arrived to su]i-
plant him in the supreme command. A party of ship-carpenters,
officers, and seamen, with guns, stores, etc., followed him to the
harbour: and ])r{!parations were at once made to build some efficient
ships, iMeaiiwliilc Cli.iuncey took thr lake witli tlic lii tie squadron
112 THE WAli WITH THE UXITED STATES, 181L'-ir>. [1812-13.
already prepared by Lieutenant Woolsey. The Canadian flotilla was
of double his force, but, as already said, it really formed only a species
of water militia, and was not capable of making head against regular
seamen of the United States navy, just as at the same time the
American militia proved unable to make head against the British
regulars on land. Chauncey not only chased the Canadian squadron
off the lake, but also attacked it when it took refuge under the
batteries of Kingston, which was the naval headquarters on the
Canadian side. No serious results followed on this attack, any more
than on the previous attack on Sackett's Harbour ; but it was note-
worthy that it should have been made at all, when the attacking
force was so greatly inferior.
Dixring the winter both sides made preparations for the warfare
in the spring. The lake service was very unpopular with the
Americans, so that it proved difficult to get men to volunteer for it
at all. The only way they were persuaded to come was by inducing
them to serve under officers whom they liked, and who went with
them. In the British service this particular difficulty was not en-
countered, as men could be sent wherever the Admiralty ordered ;
but the demands of the great ocean fleets were so stringent that it
was hard to spare men for the service on these remote inland waters.
However, by May, 1813, five hundred British seamen had been sent up
under Captain Sir James Lucas Yeo. Two ships were being built at
Sackett's Harbour by the Americans, and two others, of twenty-four
guns each, by the British at York and Kingston, at opposite ends of
the lake. Thanks to the energy of Mr. Henry Eckford, the head
builder, the work on the American side was pushed with gi-eater
rapidity, and larger and somewhat better ships were built. In
addition to the new ships. Sir James kept the five best of the original
Canadian squadron, and Chauncey kept the Oneida, and purchased
a dozen schooners. \\Tien the two squadrons were completely
ready, Chauncey had a great superiority in long-guns and Sir
James in can-onades. In smooth weather, therefore, when Chauncey
could choose his distance, he possessed much advantage ; but
whereas all the British shij)s were regularly built for men-of-war,
and sailed well in rough weather, Chauncey's schooners were
without bulwarks, and were rendered so top heavy by their guns
that, in a sea-way, the latter could not be used at all.
In the spring of 1813 the Americans, thanks to the energy with
which their shipwrights had worked, were able to take the lake first.
1813.] BRITIsn REPULSE AT SACKETT'S HARBOUB. 113
On April '27th Chauncey's squadron joined in the attack on York,
whither he convoyed some 1700 troops under the immediate
command of General Pike. The attack was successful : the
24-gun ship, which had been almost completed, was burned,
many mihtary and naval stores were destroyed, and the 10-gun
brig Gloucester was captured and taken back to Sackett's Harbour.'
On the 27th of May Chauncey's squadron again took part, with
Colonel Scott of the land forces (which were conveyed in troop-
ships and in the craft which had been captured at York), in a
successful attack on Fort George." The result of this attack was
that the British troops evacuated the entire Niagara frontier,
thereby enabling Captain Oliver Hazard Perry to get into Lake Erie
with five small vessels which became the nucleus of the American
force on that water. Up to that time they had not been able to
get past the British batteries into the lake.
These attacks on York and Fort George had been well executed ;
but no gi-eat fighting capacity was needed, the assailants being in
very much greater force than the assailed. Hitherto the British
flotilla had not been strong enough to interfere with the Americans,
though the largest American ship was still in the dock at Sackett's
Harbour ; but, at about the time when Chauncey's squadron was at
Fort George, the British ship which had been built at Kingston was
launched, and this made the British squadron superior in strength
for the moment. Sir James Lucas Yeo, together with Sir George
Prevost, the Commander-in-Chief of the land forces in Canada,
decided to strike a blow at Sackett's Harbour, and destroy the big
American ship there, so ensuring their superiority in force on the lake
for the remainder of the season. On May 27th they embarked, and
on the following day captured some boats which were transporting
troops to Sackett's Harbour. On the 29th Sir George and Sir
James made their attack on the harbour, which was defended by
General Jacob Brown. The defences of the port consisted merely of
the one-gun battery and a block-house. The attack resulted in a
rather bloody repulse, though at one time it seemed on the point
of succeeding.^ The attacking force was relatively very much
' LetttT of Cliauncey, April 28tli, 1813; Lossing's 'Field-Book of the War of
1812,' p. 581.
* Chauncey's letter, May 2fitli, 181.'!; James's ' Military Occurrences,' i. 151.
' The British, however, succeeded in burning the Gloucester, 10, wliich had hoen
captured at Yorli. — W. L. C.
VOL V[. I
114 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
weaker than were the Americans at Fort George and York, hut it
was certainly strong enough to have succeeded if proper!)' handled ;
and the failure caused much recrimination hetween the followers
of Sir James and Sir George.'
During June Yeo kept the lake undisputed, and actively co-
operated with the British anny in the operations which resulted
in the humiliating repulse of the American General ^Yilkinson's
expedition into Canada. In July Chauncey once more took the
lake, his new ship being ready. Throughout August and September
the two squadrons were facing one another on the lake, each com-
mander manoeuvring with a caution that amounted to timidit)'. In
smooth water and with all the ships in action, Chauncey undoubtedly
possessed the superiority in force ; but on the 8th of August he
received a severe lesson as to the imseaworthiness of his schooners,
for the two largest went to the bottom in a heavy gust of wind,
their guns breaking loose when they heeled over. Moreover, as
the ships were of widely different types, it was only possible to get
them all into action by causing one half of the squadron to tow the
other half.
On August 10th there occurred the one encounter in which
either side can be said to have shown anything approaching to
brilliancy ; and all the credit must be given to the British. Y"eo,
after two days of cautious manoeuvring, finally made a night attack
on Chauncey's squadron. Chauncey, partly owing to his own
blunder and partly to the blunder of two of his schooners, the
Julia and Growler, allowed the latter to be cut off, and they were
both of them captured by Y''eo, who deseiwed great praise. -
For the next six weeks the skirmishes on the lakes continued,
each commander in his official letters stoutly maintaining that he
was chasing the other. As a matter of fact, Y'eo was determined
oul}' to fight in heavy, and Chauncey only in light weather. On
September 11th a long-range skirmish occurred at the mouth of
the Genesee Eiver. The heavy guns of the American schooners
gave their side the advantage in this affair, but nothing decisive
resulted.^
On September 28th the squadrons again came into contact near
' Letter of Adjutant-General Baynes, May 30th, 1813; James's 'Military Occur-
rences,' i. 173.
- Letters of Yeo, Aug. lOtli, 1813, and Chauncey, Aug. 13th, 1813.
' Letters of Yeo, Sept. 12th, 1813, and Cliauncey, Sept. 13th, 1813.
1813.] THE AFFAIl! AT YOflK BAY. 115
York Bay. On that occasion the Americans were to windward ; and
Chauncey at last made up his mind to try a real fight. But Yeo
succumbed with very little resistance. The American vessels
sutfered hardly at all. Chauncey led his squadron in the Pikr,
much the heaviest vessel in either squadron. Yeo's ship, the
Wolfe, speedily had her main and mizen top-masts shot away ;
whereupon Yeo crowded all sail forward, and hastily got out of
the combat, leaving his retreat to be covered by the Royal George,
Captain William Howe Mulcaster. Mulcaster luffed across the
Wolfe's stern, and stood the brunt of the action until his com-
modore was in safety, when he himself followed suit, having
lost his fore topmast. For an hour the American ships followed,
and then relinquished the pursuit when the British were running
into the entirely undefended port of Burlington Bay, whence escape
would have been impossible.^ The only loss inflicted by the British
guns had been to the American schooner Tompkins, under Lieu-
tenant Bolton Fitch, who shared with Captain Mulcaster what
there was of glory in the day. The fight, or skirmish, such as it
was, was decisive in so far as concerned any further attempts by
Yeo to keep the lake that season, for thereafter his squadron
remained in Kingston, part of the tinu; ])lockaded by Chauncey.
But Chauncey deserved no credit for the action. He possessed an
undoubted superiority in force, and his opponents made very little
resistance, so that the victory was cheap ; and his conduct in
abandoning the pursuit and thereby losing the fruits of the victory
was inexplicable. He did not order his swifter vessels to cast off
the slower ones which they were towing, so he coixld not overtake
the fleeing enemy ; and he did not follow them into the open road-
stead where they sought refuge. He afterwards alleged tliat he
feared to make the attack in Burlington Bay lest the wind should
blow up to a gale and drive both squadrons ashore ; and that he
hoped to be able to make another attack at a more suitable time.
Such excuses simply serve to uiaik the difference between the com-
mander who allows caution to degenerate into irresolution, and the
bold leader of men. Chauncey liad missed the great opportunity of
his life.
In 1814 the contest degenerated into one of shipbuilding merelj'.
' Letter of Chauncey, Sept. 28tb, 1H13 ; Breutou, ii. 503. Unforfunatoly, tliu
Biitisli A<liiiiialty hail .it that time adopted the rule uf not publishing official nccomilH
of defeats, so there i.s no priuted letter of Yen's.
I '2
116 THE WAII WITH THE UXITEn STATES, 1812-15. [1811.
The shipwrights under Yeo and Chauncey began to build huge
frigates and to lay down battleships, while the schooners were
no longer included in the cruising squadrons.^ Chauncey had re-
captured the Julia and the Growler in a successful attack upon some
British transports. The Groicler, however, was again captured
on May 3rd, 1814, when Yeo, who took the lake first, began a
successful attack on Oswego,- the British troops being under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer.^ Y'eo then blockaded
Sackett's Harbour. On May 30th he sent an expedition of six
boats with seven guns and one hundred and eighty men, under
Commanders Stephen Popham and Francis Brockell Spilsbury, to
attack an American convoy under Captain Woolsey which was
bringing up guns and cables for the new American frigates. Woolsey
ran into Big Sandy Creek, eight miles from the harbour, where
he was joined by some militia and a company of light artillery,
under Major Apphng. The British force was absm'dly inadequate
for the duty to which it was assigned ; Americans had every
advantage of position, and outnumbered the attacking party.
Woolsey and Appling arranged an ambush, and, with the loss of
only one man shghtly wounded, killed * or captured the entire
body of assailants.^
On July 6th Y^eo raised the blockade, and, for six weeks, nothing
was done except that Lieutenant Francis Gregory, U.S.N. , twice
led daring and successful cutting-out expeditions, in one of which
he captured a British gimboat, and in the other destroyed a 14-gun
schooner which was nearh' ready for launching. In August, Com-
' On April 15th, there were launched, by the British, at Kingston, the Prince
Regent, 58, and the Princess Charlotte, 42. On May Ist the Americans, at Sackett's
Harbour, launched the Superior, 62, and on June 11th, the Mohawk, -18. — W. L. C.
" In the capture of Oswego, the British lost 18 killed and 64 wounded, among the
former being Captain William Holtoway, E.M., and among the latter Captain William
Howe Mulcaster, Commander Stephen Popham, and Lieutenant Charles AVilliara
Griffith Griffin. The American loss was 6 killed, 38 wounded, and 25 missing. Three
schooners and seven guns were carried away by the victors, and a schooner and six
guns were destroyed. — W. L. C.
^ Yeo's letter, May 17th, 1814.
* The attacking party consisted of 180 seamen and Royal Marines. It lost
18 killed and 50 badly wounded, among the latter being Lieutenants Thomas S. Cox
and Patrick M'Veagh, E.M. Popham's official letter ended : " The exertions of the
American officers of the rifle corps commanded by Major Appling, in saving the lives
of many of the officers and men whom their own men and the Indians were devoting
to death, were conspicuous, and claim our warmest gratitude." — W. L. C.
" Letters of Woolsey and Appling, June 1st and May 30th, 1814.
1814.] TACTICS OF YF.O AND CHAUNCEY. 117
modore Chaunce}''s vessels having been built, Captain Yeo in
his turn promptly retreated to port, where he was blockaded. The
difference in force against Yeo was about 15 per cent., and he
declined to fight with these odds against liim. A little later, in
October, his two-decker, the Prince Ref/ent, 58, being completed, Yeo
in his turn took the lake ; and the equally cautious Chauncey
promptly retired to Sackett's Harbour.
Chauncey varied the game by quarrelling vdth General Brown,
alleging that the latter was making a "sinister attempt" to
subordinate the navy to the army.^ He insisted- — wherein he was
quite right — that his proper objective was the enemy's fleet, and
that he could best serve the army by destroying the British vessels.
This was true enovigh ; but the timid and dilatory tactics employed
by both Chauncey and Yeo were such as to render it certain that
neither would ever inflict a serious blow on the other, for neither
would fight unless the odds were largely in his favour ; and when
such was the case, he could not persuade his opponent to meet him ;
so that the best either could do was to assist the army in the way
against which Chauncey protested. Both Chauncey and Yeo were
good organisers : each in turn assisted the land forces on his side
more or less by getting control of the lake ; but, towards the end,
the contest became almost farcical, for it was one of ship-building
merely, and the minute either party completed a new ship the
other promptly retired into harbour until al)le in turn to com-
plete a larger one.
On Lake Erie the course of events was very different, for the
commanders on that sheet of water displayed none of the extreme
and timid caution which characterised the two connuodorcs on
Lake Ontario.
At the outbreak of the war the British squadron on Lake
Ontario consisted of the Queen Charlotte, 16, Lady Prevost, 12,
Hunter, 10, Caledonia, '2, Little Belt, '2, and Chippeicaij, 2. These
were all manned by Canadians, and, like the vessels on Lake
Ontario, were not part of the British regular Navy, Init loinud a
species of water militia. 'I'iic American navy was not represented
on Lake Erie at all; but Hull's army at Detroit had fitted out a
small brig, the Adams, armed with six (i-pounders, which fell into
the hands of the British when Hull and his army were captured
' Niles, vii. 12, vi.
lis
THE WAn WITH THE l' SITED STATES, 1812-15.
[1812.
by the gallant British General Brock. The Detroit, ex Adams, was
then put in charge of Lieutenant Eolette, U.K., assisted by a
boatswain, and was provided with a crew of fifty-six men. She was
in company with the Caledonia, a small brig mounting two guns,
with a crew of twelve Canadians under Mr. Irvdng. In all the
fighting on the upper lakes the bulk of the British crews was
composed of Canadians and of British soldiers ; whereas on Lake
Ontario the ships were manned by British sailors from the fleet.
The Detroit and the Caledonia, canning a very valuable cargo
of furs and about forty American prisoners, moved down the lake,
and on October 7th, 1812, anchored under the guns of the British
Fort Erie.
AMEKICAX MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, 1813.
Commander Jesse D. Elliott, U.S.N., had already been sent to
Lake Erie to construct a naval force. On the very day on which
the two brigs came to anchor under the British fort the first
detachment of the American seamen, fifty-one in number, arrived
at Black Kock, on the American side, where Elliott was stationed.
They had no arms ; but sabres, pistols, and muskets were supplied
by the commander of the land forces, who also detailed seventy
soldiers under Captain Towsen to act with Elliott, the total force
being 124.^ On the 9th, Elliott, acting with great promptness
and decision, left in two large boats, one under his own command,
the other under Towsen, intending to cut out the British vessels.
After two hours' rowing the boats reached the brigs. Elliott
> Letter of Elliott, Oct. otli, 1812 ; Lossing, p. 385.
1812-13.] AFFAIRS UN LAKE ERIE. 119
took his own boat alongside the Detroit and boarded her before
the surprised crew knew their danger, though there was a scufifie
in which one American was killed and one wounded. The noise
roused the Canadians in the Caledonia, and they made more
resistance to the other boat. However, it was too late, and the
Caledonia was earned with a rush, all twelve of the Canadians
being cut down or made prisoners. Five of the Americans were
killed or wounded. The Caledonia was brought back in safetj' to
the American side, but the Detroit had to be destroyed.
This ended the naval operations of 1812 on Lake Erie, except
that the American Commander Angus, with eighty sailors, took part
in one of the abortive attacks made by the American General Smith
on some of the Bi'itish batteries. Late in the winter Commodore
Oliver Hazard Perry arrived and took command.
Commander Eobert Heriot Barclay (actg.), K.N., was appointed
commander of the British forces on Lake Erie, in May, 1813. He
began to build a '20-gun ship at Amherstburgh. Some seventy
sailors from the British Navy were sent to him, and there were
about twice that number of Canadian sailors already in the flotilla.
The remainder, at least half, of his men were soldiers sent from the
British armj' on shore.
Perry began the construction of two 20-gun brigs at Presqu'-
isle, now Erie. Over one-half of the men who manned his squadron
were seamen from the regular navy on the Atlantic coast ; about
a thii-d were soldiers and marines ; and about a tenth were volunteers
from among the frontiersmen around the lake.
The crews and vessels on both sides were oi' the order of make-
shifts, although the splendid courage and efficiency with which the
men fought was a sufficient proof that there was no difficulty in
bringing such material up to the highest standard ; for the British
and American seamen from the ocean, the American and Canadian
frontiersmen and lake sailors, and the soldiers from both armies,
who formed the crews, offered fine fighting stuff.
The lake vessels were very much shallower llian tlinsc usi'd for
the deep seas Their tonnage was estimated arl)itriniiy, mi the
supposition that, like the ordinary ocean vessels, they were deep
in a given proportion to their length and breadth. If allowance
were made; for the shallowness of the lake vessels, their tomiage
would \)v, of course very much less. Thus, making sucli allowance,
tiic Ijiitish 20-gun ship luiilt by Barclay, which lie christened
120 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
the Detroit, was of only 305 tons, while, if estimated in the usual
manner, it was of 490. The two brigs Laicrence and Niagara,
which Perry was building, were similarly of either 300 or 480 tons.
However, the tonnage was really a matter of small moment in war
vessels, except to indicate the size above the water-line, for they
carried no cargoes ; so that the tonnage of the lake vessels may as
well be reckoned as though it were a case of ordinary ocean vessels.
Reckoning thus, Barclay's second ship, the Lady CliarJotte, was
of 400 tons ; his third, the Lady Prevost, of 230 ; and his fourth,
the Hunter, of 180 tons. On the American side the Caledonia,
like the Hunter, was of 180 tons, and the largest schooner, the
Ariel, of 112. The other schooners and sloops on both sides were
of from 70 to 95 tons apiece.
The two American brigs and the British ship were completed
in August. Until their completion the British squadron was
superior in force, and Barclay kept up a close blockade of the harbour
of Erie, where there was a bar having on it less than seven feet
of water. This bar prevented the British from going in, but it
also prevented the two American brigs from getting out so long as
the enemy was off the harbour. Finally Barclay, early in August,
was obliged to be away for a couple of days ; and Perry by great
exertions managed to get the two brigs across the bar without their
guns, which were put in later.^ Soon afterwards the Detroit joined
Barclay's squadron, and the captains made ready for battle.
Barclay's squadron was so inferior in force that he would not
have been justified in risking action if it could have been avoided.
But there was no alternative. The control of Lake Erie virtually
decided the control of the disputed territory around the Detroit
River. Moreover, Barclay was so short of provisions that he had
to bring matters to a head. On September 10th, 1813, the two
squadrons came together.
Perry had nine vessels, the brigs Lawrence, Niagara, and
Caledonia, the schooners Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Porcupine, and
Tigress, and the sloop Trippe. Their total tonnage was 1671, and
their total crews amounted to 532 men ; but sickness had been so
prevalent that only about 416 were fit for duty. In his vessels
fifty-four guns were mounted, fourteen of which were on pivots.
In the action his broadside weight of metal was 896 pounds ;
288 of which were thrown from long-guns. The Lawrence and
' Cooper, ii. 389.
1813.]
THE ISATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.
121
Niagara were large iuen-of-\\ar brigs, armed in the usual manner
with eighteen 32-pr. carronades, and two long 12's apiece. The
smaller vessels, in addition to two or three light carronades, carried
long 32's, 24's, and 1'2's. Barclay's squadron consisted of six vessels,
the ships Detroit and Queen Charlotte, the hri^ Hunter, the schooners
Lady Prcvost, and C]iij)pewaij , and the sloop Little Belt. The
aggregate tonnage was 1460 ; the aggregate of the crews summed up
CAPTAIN OLIVER ll\Y.\\\D PERRY, U.S.K.
(From S. Frccman'it cnfjravino. after the portrait htj J. VT. Jarris.)
to about 440 men.' The total nuiiil)er of guns was sixty- three, five
being on pivots. The total l)roadside weight was 4.59 pounds,
of which liJo were from long guns : for many of Barclay's guns
were of very small calilne, incluilint,' long 2's, 4's, and (j's, and
12-pr. carronades.
' James (vi. 2."0, eil. IH.'IT) ]mts tlie iiiimcrical sliength of liarolay's Cdiiiiiiaml at
only ;{45 men, iiiclmliMg HO Canadians, and 1210 nolilie:B of tlie Newfoundland .and list
regiments. — W. L. C.
122 THE WAl! VTTII THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
The difference in number of men between the two squadrons
was not very material. Both had scratch crews, made up of regular
seamen, of lake seamen, of British regulars, and a few Indians in
Barclay's squadron, and American militia and a few negroes in
Perry's. In tonnage Perry was superior by just about what \a ould
be indicated by the possession of three extra schooners. The
decisive difference w"as in the armament. In weight of broadside
the superiority of the Americans in long-gun metal was nearly as
three to two, and in carronade metal it was greater than two to one.
The ship Detroit mounted chieiiy long guns, and was on the whole
probably rather superior to either of Perry's big brigs. The Queen
Charlotte was greatly inferior to either. The smaller vessels lacked
the long guns which made the small American vessels formidable.
In smooth water and at a distance the long guns of Perry's smaller
vessels gave his squadron a very marked advantage ; in a brisk
breeze his two big brigs should have been almost a match for the
entire British squadron.
When, at daylight on September 10th, Perry discovered Barclay's
squadron he was at anchor at Put-In Bay. As soon as the ships
were made out, Perry got under way and bore down toward them,
having the weather gage. Barclay lay to in close column, the
Chippeu-ay ahead, followed by the Detroit, the Hunter, the Queen
Charlotte, the Lcuhj Prevost, and the Little Belt} Perry went down
with the wind off his port beam, and made the attack in column
ahead obhquely. The Erie and Scorpion led the line a little ahead,
and on the weather bow, of Perry's ship the Lawrence. Next came
the Caledonia, and after her the Lawrence's twin sister, the Niagara,
under Captain Jesse D. Elliott, whom Perry had superseded, and
who showed by his actions that he felt no particular zeal in helping
Perry to gain glory. The Niagara was followed by the Somers, the
Porcupine, the Tigress, and the Trippe in that order."
The winds were light and baffling, and, as the American ships
came down, they formed a straggling and irregular line which
' Tlie Britisli vessels were comuianded as follows : Chij/jictcai/, Master's Slate
J. Campbell ; Detroit, Coiumander Robert Heriot Barclay ; Hunter, Lieutenant George
Bignell; Queen Charlotte, Commander Robert Finnis (.acting); Lady Prevost,
Lieutenant Edward Wise Bucban. The commander of the Little Belt i.s unnamed
in Barcla3''s letter of September 12th to Yeo. — W. L. C.
^ Letters of Captain Barclay and Lieutenant Inglis, Sept. 12th and 10th, 1813 ;
of Captain Perry, Sept. 11th, 12th, and 13th. Lossing gives some valuable matter ; so
does Ward m his ' Naval Tactics,' and James in his ' Naval Occurrences.'
1813.] THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 123
approached at an angle of about fifteen degrees to the line of
Barclay's squadron, which was in much better and more compact
order. At a quarter to twelve the Detroit opened the action with
her long 24's. Her first shot fell short ; her second crashed
through the Lawrence ; whereupon the Scorpion replied with her
long 32. Ten minutes after the Detroit had first fired, the
Lawj-ence, which had shifted her port bow-chaser into the place
of one of the carronades on her starboard side, opened with both
her long 12's. At noon she tried her carronades, but the shot fell
short. Shortly afterwards the action became general on both sides,
though the rearmost American vessels were still so far away that
they were themselves not exposed to any danger at all, and only
the longest guns occasionally reached. The Lawrence was steadily
nearing Barclay's hue, Perry making every effort to close ; but it was
half an hour after the Detroit had opened before the Lawrence got
to the close quarters necessary for the effective use of her carronades.
Throughout this half-hour Barclay's leading ships had concentrated
their fire on Perry's vessel, and so the Lawrence had suffered a
good deal; though the schooners Scorpion and Ariel had been
pounding away with their long guns to help her.
For some time, therefore, the action at the head of the hnc was
in favom- of the British. The sides of the Detroit were dotted with
marks of shot that did not penetrate, partly because of the long
range, partly because the Americans in this action seemed to show
a tendency to overload their carronades. There was a carronade in
the Scorpion which upset down the hatchway as soon as it got hot ;
and one of the long guns on the Ariel burst. On the other side, the
Detroit had her own difficulties. There were no locks for her guns,
thanks to the hurry with which she had been prepared, and they had
to be discharged by flashing pistols at the touch-holes. Nevertheless,
Barclay fought her to perfection, and the trained artillerists among
his seamen and soldiers aimed the guns so well that Perry had his
hands full. The Caledonia came down beside the Lawrence, helping
to divert the attention of the Hunter and the Quecu Charlotte from
her. But Elliott handled the Niagara \)oo\\\. IK- did not lulldw
Perry to close quarters, but engaged the Queen Charlotte at a distance
which rendered the carronades oC both vessels useless. In fact, the
only effective fighting at the rear of the lines was that done by the
four American gun-vessels astern of the Niagara. Each ol' these
had a long 32 or 24, of wliicii, nii sucli smooth seas, she could make
I
124 THE WAIi WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
good use against the Lady Prevost, Queen Charlotte, and Hunter;
the latter having an absurd armament of Httle guns which threw a
broadside of thirty pounds all told. Both Commander Finnis, of the
Queen Charlotte, and his first lieutenant, Thomas Stokoe, were killed
early in the action. Her next in command, the Canadian lieutenant
Irvine, finding that he could make no effective answer to the long
guns of the schooners, drew forward and joined in the attack on the
Laicrence at close quarters. The Niagara was left practically
without any antagonist, and, at the end of the line, the fight became
one at long range between the Somers, Tigress, Porcupine, and Trijype
on the one side, and the Lady Prevost, and Little Belt on the
other. The Lady Prevost's armament consisted chiefly of 12-pr.
carronades. She made a noble fight, but such an armament at long
range in smooth water was utterly useless against the heavy guns
of the schooners. Her commander, Lieutenant Buchan, and her
first lieutenant, Francis Eolette, were both seriously wounded, and
she was greatly cut up, and began to fall to leeward.
The fight at the head of the line was waged with bloody
obstinacy between the Scorpion, Ariel, Lawrence, and Chesapeake
on the one hand, and the Caledonia, Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and
Chippeway on the other. Instead of pairing in couples, the ships
on each side seemed to choose the largest opponents as special
targets. The Americans concentrated their fire on the Queen
Charlotte, and Detroit ; while the British devoted their attention
mainly to the Laivrence, which had already suffered severely while
working down to get within range of her carronades. The Queen
CJiarlotte was soon almost disabled. The Detroit was also pounded
practically to a standstill, suffering especially from the raking fire
of the gun-boats. Barclay was fighting her himself with the
utmost gallantry ; but he was so badly wounded that he was at last
obliged to quit the deck. His first Lieutenant, John Garland, was
also wounded mortally ; but Lieutenant George Inglis, to whom the
command was turned over, continued the fight as gamely as ever.
Meanwhile the Lawrence was knocked to pieces by the combined
fires of her adversaries. Of the one hundred and three men who
had been fit for duty when she began the action, eighty-three were
killed or wounded. As the vessel was so shallow, the ward-room,
which was used as the cockpit into which the wounded were taken,
was mainly above water, and the shots came through it continually.
Manv of the wounded were killed or maimed while under the hands
1813.] THE BATTLE UF LAKE ERIE. 125
of the surgeons. The first heutenant, Yarnall, was hit three times,
but refused to leave the deck, and fought the ship to the last. The
only other lieutenant on board, Brooks, of the marines, was
mortally wounded. Every brace and bowline was shot away, and
the hull was so riddled that it looked like a sieve. One by one the
guns on the engaged side were dismounted, while the men were
shot down until they could not man even the guns that were left.
However, the slaughter of four-fifths of his crew before his eyes did
not daunt Perry in the least. When there were no men left to
serve the last three or four guns, he called down through the skylight
for one of the surgeon's assistants. The call was repeated and obeyed,
until all those officers had been used up. Then he shouted down,
" Can any of the wounded j)ull a rope? " and three or four of them
hobbled up on deck to help him lay the last guns. Finally, Perry
himself was left with only the purser and chaplain, and by their aid
he fired a final shot ; and, immediately afterwards, the gun which
he had used, the only one left, was disabled.
Meanwhile Mr. Turner in the Caledonia, having put liis helm
up, had passed the Laicrence and run into the British line, where
he engaged at half pistol-shot distance, though his little brig was
absolutely without quarters.
Perry's vessel lay an unmanageable hulk on the water, while the
shot ripped through her sides, and there was not a gun that could be
fired in return ; but Perry had not the slightest intention of giving
up the fight. He had gone into the battle flying on his flag
Lawrence's dying words, " Don't give up the ship " ; and he
intended to live up to the text. The Niagara was at that time a
quarter of a mile to windward of the Lawrence on her port-beam.
She was steering for the head of Barclay's line, and was almost
uninjured, having taken very little part in the combat, and never
having been within a distance that rendei'ed her carronades of any use.
Perry instantly decided to shift his broad pennant to her. Leaping
into a boat with his brother and four seamen, he rowed to the
fresh brig, having literally been hananeied out of the Lawrence by
the pounding which ho had received for two liours and a half. As
soon as he reached the Niagara, he sent Elliott astern to hurry up
the three rearmost schooners ; for the sloop Trippe, on her own
account, had steered straight for the British line, and was very near
the Caledonia. The Lttwrencc, liaviiig l>ut fourteen sound men left,
struck lier colours ; but the action began again before possession
126 THE WAi; WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813.
could be taken of her, and she drifted astern out of the fight. At a
quarter to three the schooners had closed, and Perry bore up to
break Barclay's line, the powerful brig to which he had shifted his
broad pennant being practically unharmed , as indeed were his rear-
most gun-vessels.
The British ships had fought till they could fight no longer.
The two smallest, the Chippeicaij and Little Belt, were not much
damaged ; but the other four were too disabled either to fight or to
manoeuvre effectively so as to oppose fresh antagonists. However,
they answered as best they could, with great guns and musketry, as
the Niagara stood down and broke the British line, firing her port
battery into the Chippeicaij, Little Belt, and Lachj Prevost, and her
starboard battery into the Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Hunter,
raking on both sides. The Detroit and Charlotte had been so cut
up aloft, almost every brace and stay being shot away, that they
could not tack, and tried to wear ; but they fell foul of one another,
and the Niagara luffed athwart their bows, firing uninterruptedly,
while, under their sterns, the Caledonia and the schooners stationed
themselves so close that some of their grape-shot, passing over the
British vessels, rattled through Perry's spars. The Lady Prevost
had sagged to leeward, an unmanageable wreck. Barclay had done
everything in the power of man to do. The first and second in
command of every one of his six vessels had been either killed or
wounded ; and at three o'clock his flag was struck. The Chippeway
and Little Belt tried to escape, but were overtaken and brought-to
by the Trippe and the Scorpion, the commander of the latter, Mr.
Stephen Champlin, tiring the last shot of the battle, as he had
likewise fired the first on the American side.
None of the American ships had suffered severely, excepting the
Lawrenee, to whose share over two-thirds of the total loss had
fallen. In breaking the line, however, the Niagara had suffered
somewhat; and the Caledonia, Ariel, Scorjjion, and Trippe had come
in for some of the pounding. All told, twenty-seven men had been
killed and ninety-six wounded, three mortally. The British loss
amounted to fort}--one killed and ninety-four wounded, chiefly in
the Detroit and Queen Charlotte. Barclay's letter is a model of its
kind for generosity and manliness, stating matters precisely as
they were. He needed no justification, for the mere recital of
the facts was proof enough of his gallantry and skill. In his letter
he stated, " Captain Perry has behaved in the most humane and
1813.] PliAISE OF bahvlay. 127
attentive manner, not only to myself and officers, but to all the
wounded." '
The victory was decisive, giving the Americans complete control
of the upper lakes ; and it was very important in its effects, putting
an end to any effort to wrest from them the supremacy on the
western frontier. Perry and the American shipwrights are en-
titled to high praise for the energy and forethought with which
they prepared the squadron. Moreover, Perry showed the most
determined corn-age and great fertility in resource, which enabled
him not merely to destroy, but also to annihilate his enemy ; and
he deserved the credit he received. Both sides displayed the same
dogged courage ; but, on the whole, Barclay and his captains un-
questionably showed superior skill in the actual fighting. The
disposition of the American line was such that it was brought into
action by fragments. Captain Elliott did not fight the Niagara well ;
and four of the American gunboats were kept so far astern as to
prevent their being of much use at first, so that the brunt of the
action fell on the Lawrence, even during the early part of the action,
when the fighting was at long range and her carronades were useless.
Perry, towards the end, showed ability to use his force to the best
advantage, and his own ship was faultlessly handled and fought ;
but some of his captains did not support him, nor one another, as
they should have done. Whether through his fault or through his
misfortune, he failed to get from them the full co-operation which
he should have received.
Barclay's dispositions, on the contrary, were faultless; and the
British captains supported one another, so that the disparity in
damage done was not equal to the disparity in force. Barclay could
not arrange his ships so as to be superior to his antagonists. In any
circumstances, whether in rough water or in smooth, the Americans
were the more formidable in force. All that he could do he did.
Perry, in making bis attack, had shown the same headlong energy as
he had previously shown in preparing his squadron, and he behaved
with that indomitable determination not to be beaten, than whicii,
after all, there is no greater merit in any fighter, afloat or ashore.
' Lieuteiiiint Kulicrt Heriot Barclay liad liis Cuiiiniainiei's cuiiiniiRsion confirmeil on
November lUtli, 1813, fie news of the disaster readied the Admiralty. lie was trieil
at Portsiiioutli for the loss of his llotilhi on September Ultli, IsM, and was "most
fully and honourably acquitted." He was posted ou October lltli, 181il, aud died ou
May 12tli, 1837.— \V. L. C.
128 THE Tr.17? WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1S13-14.
The superior force of the Americans had been brought into action in
such a manner that the head of the hne was crushed by the inferior
force opposed ; but, when hterally hammered out of his own ship.
Perry had brought up her powerful twin sister, and overwhelmed the
shattered hostile squadron, pushing the victory with such energy
that all the opposing ships were captured. In other words.
Providence, as so often before, declared in favour of the heavier
battalions, when those battalions were handled with energy and
resolution. The victory was due to heavy metal, as in many
another sea fight between far greater forces. Like the victories of
La Hougue and of Camperdown, waged between huge armadas, this
combat between the little lake flotillas shows, what certainly ought
not to need showing, that energy and forethought in preparing a
superior force, and energy and courage in using it, will ensure
victory if the skill and bravery on both sides be equal, or even if
there be a slight advantage in skill on the part of the enemy.
The destruction of Barclay's squadron left the Americans un-
disputed masters of the upper lakes ; but exactly as they had begun
their career by a cutting-out expedition, which enabled them to
acquire the imcleus of their squadron, so now thej', in their turn,
suffered by a couple of cutting-out expeditions, in which the British
performed, at their expense, two really brilliant feats, though on a
small scale. Neither feat was of weight enough to interfere with
the American supremacy, but both exploits reflected great credit
on the victors, and caused much mortification to the vanquished.
In July 1814 Captain Arthur Sinclair, U.S.N., sailed into Lake
Huron with five of Perry's smaller vessels. He attacked the fort at
Macinaw, but was repulsed, and then destroyed the British block-
house on the Nattagawassa, together with an armed schooner ; ' but
the crew of the schooner, under Lieutenant Miller Worsley, E.N.,
escaped up the river. Sinclair then departed for Lake Erie, leaving
the Scorpion, under Lieutenant Turner, and the Tigress, under
saihng-master Champlin, to keep a watch on the river. The two
commanders ■ grew very careless, and paid the penalty ; for the
Indians brought word to the British that the two American vessels
were in the habit of stationing themselves far apart, and it was
at once resolved to attempt their capture. Accordingly, the effort
was made with four boats, one manned by twenty seamen, under
Lieutenant Miller Worsley, the other three by seventy-two soldiers,
' This schooner was the Kancy, belonging to the North-West Company. — W. L. C.
1814.] CUTTINU-OUT AFFAIU^i US LAKE UUllON. 129
under Lieutenants Bulger, Armstrong, and Raderhurst, of the ai-my.
Two light guns accompanied the expedition. Alter twenty-four
hours' search the party discovered one vessel, the Tigress, late on
the evening of September 3rd. It was very dark, and the British
were not detected until they had come within fifty yards.
Champlin at once fired his long-gun at them ; but, before it could
be reloaded, the four boats had run him on board, two on the
starboard and two on the port side. The gunboat had no boarding
nets, and the assailants outnumbered the crew by more than
three to one, but there was a sharp struggle before she was
carried. Of the twenty-eight men on board her, three were killed
and five wounded, including Champlin himself, whose hurt was
very severe. Of the assailants, the loss was still heavier, for it
included two killed and a dozen wounded, one of whom was Lieu-
tenant Bulger. The latter showed himself prompt to recognise
courage in others, in addition to exhibiting it by his own acts.
In his letter he wrote, " The defence of this vessel did credit to
her ofiicers, who were all severely wounded." '
Forty-eight hours afterwards the Scorpion rejoined her consort,
entirely ignorant of what had occurred. She anchored two miles
from the Tigress, and, in the dawn, the latter, with the American
ensign and pennant still flying, ran her on bcjard. The first notice
her crew of thirty men had was a volley which killed two, and
wounded two others ; and she was carried without resistance. No
one had time even to seize his arms.'''
This was an exceedingly creditable and plucky enterprise. At
almost the same time an even more daring cutting-out expedition
took place at the foot of Lake Erie. The three American schooners,
Ohio, Somers, and rorcupinc, each with thirty men, under Lieu-
tenant Conkling, were anchored at the outlet of the lake to Hank
the works at Port Erie. Several British vessels^ were lying off
the fort, in the Ontario waters, and their officers detenuined to
make an effort to carry the American gunboats by surprise. On
the night of August I'ith Commander Alexander Dobbs and Ijieu-
tenant Copleston lladcliffe, with seventy-five seamen and Marines,
' Letter of Lieut. A. II. Bulger, Sc'i.t. Ttli, lyll.
- For tliese services Lieutcn.ant Miller Worsley was uiaile :i Coinuuuiiicr on
.luly l.Sth, 181.0. He (lic<l, still in that rank, on May 2ih1, 18;!5.— W. L. C.
' Including the Charvdl, Coniniander Alexander Dobbn, Nilliy, Lieutennnt
Copleston Hadclifl'e, and Stai:—\\. L. C.
VOL. VI. K
130 THE KAIi WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1813-1-i.
made the attempt.' Aided by some militia, they cai'ried a gig
and five bateaux twenty-eight miles overland to Lake Erie, launched
them, and rowed toward the gunboats. At about midnight the
look-out in the Somers discovered and hailed them. They answered,
" provision boat," which deceived the officer on deck, as such
boats were passing and repassing every night. In another moment
they drifted across his hawser, cut his cables and ran him
on board. The two men on deck were shot do'wn, and, before
the others could get up, the schooner was captured. In another
moment the British boats were alongside the Ohio, Lieutenant
Conkling's own vessel. The sound of the firing had awakened his
people, and, disordered though they were, they attempted resistance,
and there was a moment's sharp struggle ; but Conkling himself,
and the only other officer on board, saihng-master Cally, together
with five seamen, were shot or cut down, and Dobbs carried the
gunboat sword in hand. Lieutenant Kadchffe was killed, however,
and seven British seamen and Marines were killed or wounded.
Dobbs then drifted down stream with his two prizes, the Porcii-
2}ine being too demoralised to interfere. It was a very bold and
successful enterprise, reflecting the utmost credit on the victors.'^
At the beginning of the war the Americans had the supremacy on
Lake Champlain, possessing two little sloops, each mounting eleven
small guns, and six row-galleys, mounting one gun each, under the
command of Lieutenant Sidney Smith. On June 3rd, 1813, Smith
took his two sloops to the Sorrel Eiver, the outlet of the lake, where
he saw thi-ee British row-galleys, each mounting one long-gun. The
wind was aft, and he imprudently chased the row-galleys down the
river to -within sight of the first British fort. The river was narrow,
and the infantry at the fort promptly came to the assistance of the
galleys, and began to fire on the sloops from both banks. The
sloops responded with grape, and tried to beat back up the stream,
but the current was so strong and the wind so light that no head-
waj"^ could be made. The row-galleys turned and began to fire with
their long 24's, while the light guns of the sloops could not reach
' James, in his 'Naval Occurrences,' gives the best account of this expedition : the
American historians touch very lightly on it ; precisel}' as, after the first year of the
war, the British authorities ceased to publish official accounts of their defeats.
^ Alexander Dobbs, born in 1784, was a Commander of February 14th, 1814, and
was posted on August 12th, 1819. He died at Milan in 1827.— AV. L. C.
1813.]
AFFAIPiS ON LAKE CIIAMPLAIN.
131
them in return. After three hours' manoeuvring and firing, a shot
from one of the galleys struck the Eagle under her starboard
quarter and ripped out a whole plank. She sank at once, hut in
such shoal water that all her men got ashore. The Growler
continued the fight alone, but, her foi-estay and main-boom being
shot away, she became unmanageable, ran ashore, and was
captured. Of the 112 men on board the two sloops, twenty were
'•^^
CAPTAIN THOMAS MACDONOLOH, U.S.N.
(Frifi/i S. Frrcmityt'it I'./iin'nvtiig, (tfkr the pcyrtrait hy J, W. Jarrin.)
killed or wounded ami the icst captured. No one was touched in
the galleys, but three of the iiritish soldiers ashore were wounded
by grape.'
Captain Thonuis Macdonough was in command on the lake from
that time onwards, and he set to work to build some new sloops.
Until this was done there was nothing to interfere with the British.
They re-christened the captured Growler and Eagle, Chubb and
' Letter of Major 'I'aylor (Britisli) to General Stone, Jaio .ird, Mt.J.
K '2
132 THE WAli WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
Finch, and with these and three row-galleys conveyed an expedi-
tion of about one thousand British troops, under Colonel Murray,
which destroyed all the barracks and stores at Plattsburg and at
Saranac on the last day of July. Three days later Macdonough
completed three sloops ' which, with his six row-galleys, restored
to him the command of the lake. Nothing more was done during
1813.
In 1814, however. Lake Champlain became the scene of the
greatest naval battle of the war. In August a British army of
eleven thousand men, under Sir George Prevost, undertook the
invasion of New York by advancing along the bank of Lake
Champlain. He got as far as the Saranac Kiver, where the
Americans had thrown up. extensive earthworks. To cover
Prevost's flank it was necessary that the British squadron on
the lake should be able to overcome the American squadron. This
squadron was put under the command of Captain George Downie.
Both Downie and Macdonough were forced to build and equip their
vessels with the utmost speed ; and the two squadrons - were both
very deficient in stores, etc., some of the guns of each being without
any locks, so that they had to be fired by means of pistols flashed at
the touch-holes. Captain Macdonough took the lake a couple of
days before his antagonists, and came to anchor in Plattsburg Bay.
Captain Downie moved out of Sorrel River on September 8th ; and
on the morning of the 11th sailed into Plattsburg Harbour to the
attack.^
' President, 12; Preble, 7 ; and Mordyomery, 9. — AV. L. C.
- Tlie squadrons engaged in the action on Lake Champlain, September 11, 1814: —
BRITISH.
AMERICAN.
Ships. ! Guns, i Commandfrs. Ships. Guns. Commanders.
. ' 37 Commander George Downie. | Saratoga . . 26 ; Captain Thomas Macdonough.
. I 16 ,, Daniel Pring. ' Kai/le . . . i 2>i . „ Robert Henley.
11 Lieutenant .lames M'O hie. Ticondtrnga . { II ' Lieut.-Com. Stephen Cassin.
11 „ \Villiam Hicks. | HrMe . . . j 7
I
12 guuboat> or row-galleys, mounting 17 gims and | 10 gunboats or row-galleys, mounting 16 guns and
carronades in all. carronades in all.
— \V. L. C.
' Official letters of Prevost, Macdonough, and Pring. Admiral Codriugton's
'Memoirs,' i. 322. Letter of Midshipman Lea, Naval CJironicle, xxxii. 272. Cooper:
both his ' History,' and especially his two articles in Putnam's Magazine. James's
' History ' and ' Xaval Occurrences.' The various articles in Nihs's Begister for
September and October 1814. Captain J. H. Ward's 'Manual of Naval Tactics.'
Lossing's ' Field-book of the War of 1812,' i. 808, quoting Ailmiral Paulding. Navy
Dept. MSS. : Letters of Macdonough before the battle ; Log-book of the Surprise
(Eagle), etc. Koosevelt's ' Naval War,' 147 370. American State Papers, xiv. 572.
1814.] TIIK BATTLE (if LAKE CIIAMl'LAIN. 133
The largest vessel of Downie's squadron was the ship Coiijiancc.
She was frigate built, of about 1200 tons' burden, and carried
on her main deck thirty long 24's. On her poop were two 32-pr.
carronades, and on her top-gallant forecastle were four 32-pr.
carronades and a long 24 on a pivot. Thanks to having a furnace,
she was able to employ hot shot in the battle. His next vessel
was the Linnet, a brig of 350 tons, mounting sixteen long 12's.
The Chubb and the Fiiirli were of about 110 tons each, carrying
eleven light guns apiece. There were also twelve row-galleys of
from 40 to 70 tons each. They carried seventeen guns, long 24's and
18's, and 32-pr. carronades. The crews aggregated from nine
hundred to one thousand.' In all there were sixteen vessels, of
about 2400 tons' total burden, with a total of ninety-two guns,
throwing a broadside of 1192 pounds, 660 of which were from
long-guns, and 532 from carronades.
Macdonough had one heavy corvette, the Saratoga, of 734
tons, carrying eight long 24-pounders, and six 42-pr., and twelve
32-pr. carronades ; a large brig, the Eagle, of about 500 tons,
carrying eight long 18's and twelve 32-pr. carronades ; a schooner,
the Ticonderoga,' about the size of the Linnet, carrying eight
long 12's, four long 18's, and five 32-pr. can-onades ; a sloop,
the Preble, mounting seven light guns, and ten row-galleys of
about the same size as the British, and mounting sixteen guns —
24*8, 18's, and 12's. His aggregate of crews amounted to less than
nine hundred men.^ His fourteen vessels were of al)0ut 2200 tons,
with eighty-six guns, throwing a broadside of 1194 pounds, only 480
of which were from long-guns. In tonnage, number of men in
crew, number of guns, and weight of metal in ])roadside, there was
no great difference ; but Downie possessed one marked advantage,
for most of his pieces were long-guns, whereas the weight of the
American broadside was from carronades. In ordinary circum-
stances this made his flotilla niucli the stronger. ICven under the
conditions in accordance witli which the battle was fought, the
range was so long tiiat the carronades could not be used with proper
efficiency. Downie was almost as nuich superior in strength to
' .lauii's (vi. .'ill!, fil. I.s;i7), 1 kiiiiw not upon what uiitliuiily, puts tlic total of the
Biitisli crews at u.'!7 ; and lie pulilishes a stateiiient, which appears to \w initilcailiiijj;, of
the coiniiarative forces engaged. — \V. Fj. C.
^ She had been a steamer, hut her niai-liinery continually got out of order, and sin'
was changed to a scliooiier.
" James puts the American force at it50 loen.— \V. L. O.
134 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
Macdonough as Chauncey had been to Yeo on Lake Ontario in the
summer of 1813, the difference in armament of the two squadrons
being very similar in each case. Macdonough, having the weaker
force, chose his position with such skill, and exercised such careful
forethought, that he more than neutralised the material superiority
of his opponents.
Both the squadrons were makeshifts. The row-galleys on both
sides were manned chiefly by soldiers. The larger vessels, however,
were manned mainly by sailors from the regular navies, British and
American. The crews were gathered hastily, and had little training
while on the lake, so that they betrayed various shortcomings, espe-
ciall}' as artillerists, except in the Confiance, where Macdonough,
and in the Linnet, where Bring, had the men at the highest
point of efficiency. The armaments of the ships were of the most
haphazard description, carronades and long-guns of different calibres
being all jumbled together. The vessels were of every kind and rig.
The Americans had a ship, a brig, a schooner, a sloop, and two
kinds of row-galleys. The British possessed a ship, a brig, two
sloops, and two kinds of row-galleys. It would have been exceed-
ingly diflicult for either squadron to undertake any kind of manoeu-
vring in any kind of weather, as no two craft were alike in speed
or handiness. Indeed, in a seaway, the frigate-built Confiance would
have been a match for Macdonough's whole squadron, and the
Saratoga, a heavy corvette, for all Downie's squadron except the
Confiance. In point of fighting capacity the men who manned
the two squadrons were about equal, for though some of the British
accounts accuse certain of the British row-galleys of cowardice in
the fight, the exhibition was probably due to the disheartening
circumstances of seeing the big vessels fail, which, of course,
insured the repulse of the open galleys. In some circumstances an
engagement on the lake would have been very much to Downie's
advantage, and would have enabled him to make good use of his
superiority in force ; but Macdonough, a very cool and competent
commander, had the advantage of the defensive, and utilised it to
the full. All he had to do was to hold Downie in check, whereas
Downie had to win a decisive victory if the invasion was to be a
success.
Accordingly, Macdonough decided to await the attack at anchor
in Plattsburg Bay, which is deep, and which opens to the southward.
The lake being long and narrow, and running north and south, the
1814.] THE BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMI'LAIN. 135
winds usually blow up or down it, while the current sets northward
toward the outlet. All the vessels were flat and shallow, and beat
to windward with difficulty. In September, there are often sudden
and fiu-ious gales which make it risky for any squadron to lie
outside the bay until the wind suits ; whereas, inside the bay,
the breezes are apt to be light and batHing. A wind which would
enable Downie to come down the lake would render it difficult for
him to beat up the bay ; and Macdonough made his aiTangoments
accordingly. He moored his vessels in a north and south line, out
of range of the shore batteries, and just south of the outlet of the
Saranac. The head of his line was so close to shore as to render it
very difficult to turn it. To the south a flank attack was prevented
by a shoal, on which was a small island containing a hospital, and
mounting one 6-pounder gun. The Eagle lay to the north : then
came the Saratoga, the Ticonderoga, and the Prehlc, all at anchor,
while the galleys, under their sweeps, formed a second line forty yards
back. B}' this arrangement it was rendered impossible for Downie to
double the line, or to anchor completely out of reach of the American
carronades ; and his attack had to be made by standing in bows on.
Macdonough realised thoroughly that he had to deal with a foe of
superior physical force, and of great courage and seamanship, and he
made every preparation possible. Nothing was left to chance. Not
only were his vessels provided with springs, but also with anchors to
be used astern in any emergency, so that they might shift their
broadsides when necessary. If one battery was knocked to pieces
he intended to use the other. Macdonough fm'ther prepared the
Saratoga by laying a kedge broad ofl' on either bow, with a hawser
and preventer hawser, hanging in bights under water, leading from
each quarter to the kedge on that side.
The morning of September 11th opened with a light l)re(!ze from
the north-east, and Downie' weighed anchor at daylight, and came
down the lake with the wind nearly aft, while Macdonough's sailors
watched the upper sails of the British ships across the narrow strip
of land which formed the outer edge of the bay. When he had
opened the bay, Downie hove tcj witli his Idur larger vessels, and
waited until the row-galleys came up.
At about half-past eight" the British squadron stood gallantly
' Downie, it sliould be e.xplaineil, was not ready, and weighed only at tlio urgent
solicitation of General Sir George Prevost, who desired liis co-oi)eration. — W. L. C.
- According to the times in tlie British accounts, Downie lilled and made sail at
7.40 .\.M. See Pring's letter of September 12tli to Ycc— W. L. C.
136 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
in on the starboard tack, in line abreast. The Chubb stood to the
north, while next came the Linnet, both heading for the Eagle,
which they expected to weather, while the Con fiance was to be
laid athwart the hawse of the Saratoga, and the Finch and the
row-galleys were to engage the Ticonderoga and the Preble, with the
American row-galleys behind them. There were a few minutes of
perfect quiet as the distance between the two squadrons lessened,
the men waiting under great nervous tension for the moment of
action. Then the Eagle fired her long 18's, but prematurely, for
the shots fell short. Soon afterwards the Linnet, in her turn, fired
her long l'2"s at the Saratoga, but these shots also fell short, except
one that struck a hencoop which happened to be on board Mac-
donough's vessel. There was a gamecock inside, and when the
coop was knocked to pieces he jmnped up, clapped his wings, and
crowed lustily. To the nervously-expectant sailors it seemed a
good omen. They laughed and cheered, and, immediately afterwards,
Macdonough himself fired one of his long 24's. His aim was good,
and the ball ranged the length of the Con fiance, killing and wounding
several men. All the American long-guns opened, and those of
the British galleys rephed.
The Chubb and the Linnet escaped nearly unscratched, and
anchored on the Eagle's beam, for both the Saratoga and the Eagle
devoted their attention chiefly to the Confiance. The latter frigate
stood steadily in without replying to the American fire, but she was
terribly cut up, losing both her port bow anchors ; and she suffered
much in her hull. She ported her helm, and came to while still
about four hundred yards from the Saratoga. Dovraie came to
anchor in grand style, making everything tight, and then delivered
a well aimed and terribly destructive broadside into the Saratoga.
Two or three of the British galleys took part in the attack on
the head of the American line, where there were also five or six
of the American row-galleys. Meanwhile the Finch, under her
sweeps, led the remaining British row-galleys to the attack of
the Ticonderoga, where the four or five weakest of the American
row-galleys were also stationed.
At the foot of the line the British effort was to turn the American
flank. At first the fighting was at long range, but gradually the
assailants closed. On both sides there was great variety in the
individual behaviour of the galleys, some being handled with the
utmost courage, and others rather timidly, as was not unnatural, for
1814.] THE BATTLE OF LAKE rffAMI'LAJX. 137
the men in them were not used to their work, nor to act with one
another ; and the attack of each depended upon who its commander
happened to be. Moreover, as they were open boats, it was easy to
inflict very heavy slaughter among the closely-crowded crews. The
British galleys which took part in the attack on the Ticonderoga and
the Preble were under the command of Lieutenant Christopher James
Bell, and were well handled. Two or three of them hung back, as
did those at the head of the line, where it was impossible to expect
them to make head against the Saratoga and the Eagle ; but where
Bell himself led them, they followed him with the utmost determina-
tion. About an hour after the discharge of the first gun, the Finch
got close to the Ticonderoga, only to be completely crippled by the
broadsides of the latter. Half her crew were killed or wounded ;
and she drifted helplessly away, grounding near Crab Island, where
she suiTendered to the patients in the hospital. At about the same
time the Preble, on the American side, was forced out of line by
the British gunboats, and drifted ashore out of the fight. The
American gunboats in that part of the line also gave way. Two or
three of the British row-galleys had already been so roughly handled
by the long-guns of the Tico7ideroga that they made no further
effort to come within effective range, so that, at the foot of the line,
the fight became one between the Ticonderoga, under Lieutenant-
Commander Stephen Cassin, on the one side, and the remaining
British gunboats, under Lieutenant Bell, on the other. Bell's attack
was most resolute, and the defence of the American schooner was
equally obstinate. Cassin walked the quarterdeck, paying no
heed to the balls singing round liim, while he scanned tlie move-
ments (if the galleys, and directed his guns to be loaded with ciuiislcr
and bags of bullets when the British tried to board. He was well
seconded by his officei-s, especially by a young midshipman named
Hiram Paulding. A\'hen I'aulding found that the matches of his
division were defective, he fired his guns by flashing pistols at the
touch-holes dui'ing the remainder of the figlit. Bell's galleys were
pushed to within a boat-hook's lengtli of the schooner ; but her
fire was so heavy that they could not get alongside, and one by one
tlicy drew off, so crippled by the slaughter that llicy could lianlly
man the oars.
\\ the head of the line the advantage had biten with the Britisii.
'I'lif Chubb, however, was too light for the company she was in, and
speedily suffered the fate of the I'nhir and the Fincli, being driven out
138 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
of the line. Her cable, bowsprit, and main-boom were shot away,
and, when she drifted inside the American ships, she was taken pos-
session of by a midshipman from the Saratoga. The Linnet, which
was remarkably well handled by her captain, Daniel Pring, paid no
attention to the American gunboats, directing her whole fire against
the Eagle. The Eagle was a much heavier vessel, but she was also
partially engaged with the Confiance ; and, moreover, the Linnet
was fought with the utmost courage and skill. After keeping up a
heavy fire for a long time, the Eagle's springs were shot away, and
she hung in the wind, unable to answer the Linnet with a single
shot. Accordingly, she cut her cables, started home her topsails,
and ran down between, and in shore of, the Saratoga and Ticon-
deroga, where she again came to anchor and opened fire on the
Confiance. The Linnet w&s then able to give her undivided attention
to the American row-galleys. After she had driven them off she
sprang her broadside so as to rake the Saratoga.
The Saratoga had already suffered heavily. The first broadside
of the Confiance' s double-shotted long 24's had crashed into her hull
with a shock which threw half her people on the deck, knocking
down many, and either killing or crippling them. Her first heutenant,
Peter Gamble, was among the slain, being killed just as he knelt
down to sight the bow-gun. Macdonough himself worked like a
tiger in pointing and handhng his favourite piece. While bending
over to sight it the spanker-boom above his head was cut in two by
a round shot. It fell on him, and knocked him senseless for two or
three minutes. Leaping to his feet, he again returned to the gun.
Immediately afterwards a round shot took off the head of the captain
of the gun, and drove it into Macdonough's face with such force as
to knock him to the other side of the deck.
The broadsides of the Confiance, however, grew steadilj^ less
effective. Her guns had been levelled to point-blank range at first,
but the qiioins were loosened by the successive broadsides, and, as
they were not properly replaced, her shot kept going higher and
higher so as to pass over the enemy. Very soon after the beginning
of the action the gallant Downie was slain, a shot from the
Saratoga throwing one of the long 24's off its carriage against his
right groin. His death was instantaneous, though the skin was not
broken.
No ships could bear the brunt of such a battle without suffering.
After a few minutes, the fire from both the Confiance and the
4
1814.] THE BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 139
Saratoga began to decrease. One by one the guns were disabled, and
the lack of complete training among the crews showed itself in the
way in which each side helped to disable its own battery. The
American sailors overloaded their carronades, cramming their guns
until the last shot reached the muzzle. The British on board the
Coiijiance made an even worse showing. They became demoralised
by the confusion and slaughter, and spoiled one or two of the guns
by ramming the wadding and round shot into them without any
powder, or by putting in two cartridges of powder and no shot.
When, however, the Linnet was able to devote herself exclusively
to the Saratoga, the latter began to get rather more than she
wanted. Macdonough had his hands full, with the frigate on his
beam, and the brig raking him. Tvdce the Saratoga was set on
fire by the hot shot of the Confiance ; one by one her long-guns
were disabled by the enemy's fire ; and her carronades either suffered
from the same cause, or else were rendered useless by over-
charging. At last only one carronade was left in the starboard
battery ; and on firing it the gun flew off the carriage and fell
down the main hatch. This left the Saratoga^ without a single
gun which she could fire, and, though the Confiance had been
almost as roughly handled, the British ship still had a few port
guns that could be used. On both sides the unengaged batteries,
the starboard battery of the Confiance and the port battery of the
Saratoga, were practically unharmed.
The British victory would now have been secure had not Mac-
donough provided in advance the means for meeting just such an
emergency.
The anchor suspended astern of the, Saratoga was let go, and
the men hauled in on the hawser that led to the starboard quarter,
bringing the ship's stern up over the kedge. The ship then rode
by the kedge, and by a hawser that had been bent to a bight in the
stream cable. In that position she was exposed to a raking fire
fnnii the Linnet, and suffered niucli from the accuracy of Pring's
long i'i's. By hauling on the line, however, the ship was at length
got so far round that the aft(u-niost gun of the port broadside bore
on the Confiance. The men liad been sent loiward to keep them as
nnich out of liarm's way as possible. Enough were now called back
to man the piece, and they at once began a brisk and accurate fire.
Again the crew roused on the liiu; until the next gun bore, and it,
too, was manned, and opened with effect on the Confiance. Then
140 THE WAI! WTTII THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1S14.
the ship hung, and would go no farther round. But Macdonough
was not at the end of his resources. The hawser leading from the
port quarter was got forward under the bows, and passed aft to the
starboard quarter. The Saratoga gradually yielded to the strain,
and, a minute later, her whole port battery opened with fatal effect.
The Confiance, meanwhile, had also attempted to round. The
springs of the British ships were on the starboard side, and so, of
course, could not be shot away as the Eagle's were ; but as the
Confiance had nothing but springs to rely on, her efforts did little
beyond forcing her forward ; and she hung with her head to the
wind. She could not stand the pounding of the fresh battery.
Over half her crew were killed or wounded ; all but three or four
of the guns on the engaged side were dismounted ; her stout
masts looked like bundles of splinters ; and her sails were in shreds
and tatters. Nothing more could be done, and the Confiance struck
about two hours after she had fired her first broadside. Without
pausing a minute the Saratoga again hauled on her starboard
hawser till her broadside was sprung to bear on the Linnet, and
the ship and brig began a brisk single fight ; for the Eagle, in her
then berth, could not fire at the Linnet, and the Ticonderoga was
driving off the British galleys. The shattered and disabled state
of the Linnet's masts, sails and yards rendered it utterly hopeless
for Pring to try to escape by cutting his cable ; and most men
would have surrendered at once. But Pring kept up a most
gallant fight with his greatly superior foe, hoping that some of
the giinboats would come and tow him off. Meanwhile he had
despatched to the Confiance a lieutenant, who returned with news
of Downie's death. The British gunboats had been driven half
a mile off, and were evidently in no state to render aid to anj^
one ; so, after having maintained the fight single-handed for
fifteen minutes, until, from the number of shot between wind and
water, the lower deck was flooded, the plucky little brig hauled
down her colours, and the fight ended a little over two hours and
a half after the first gun had been fired. Not one of the American
vessels had a mast that would bear canvas, and the captured British
vessels were in a sinking condition.
The British row-galleys had drifted to leeward, and they now
pulled slowly oft". The American row-galleys were in no position
to interfere with their retreat, which was not molested.
The battle had been bloody and destructive. The Confiance had
18U.] PRAISE OF MAVDONOUGIt. 141
been struck in the hull one hundred and five, and the Saratoga
fifty-five times ; about two hundred men were killed or wounded
on the American side, and over three hundred on the British.'
This does not include those who wei-e merely knocked down, or
bruised, or grazed by flying splinters ; indeed, an officer of the Con-
fiance reported that at the close of the action there were not five men
in her who were unhurt. Macdonough appreciated the gallantry
of his adversaries, and at once returned the British officers their
swords ; and Pring, the senior British officer left, expressed in his
official letter his acknowledgment of the generosity, courtesy, and
humanity with which Macdonough had treated himself and his men.
Pring, and Cassin of the Ticonderoga, shared with ^lacdonough the
honour of the day.
This lake fight decided the fate of the invasion of Sir George
Prevost,^ who retired at once with his arm3^ Macdonough had
performed a most notable feat, one which, on the whole, surpassed
that of any other captain of either navy in this war. The conse-
quences of the victory were very great, for it had a decisive effect
upon the negotiations for peace which were then being carried on
between the American and the British commissioners at Ghent. The
Duke of Wellington, who had been pressed to take command of
the British army in Canada, advised against any prolongation of the
war, if it could be terminated on the basis of each nation being left in
the position which it had held before the sti'uggle, giving this advice
on the ground that the failure of the British to obtain control of the
lakes rendered it impossible to expect any decisive triumph of the
British arms.^ Indeed, in the war of 1812, the control of the lakes
was the determining factor in the situation on the Canadian border,
' Tlie ConfiniicK liad 41 killed ami alimit 00 wuurided : iha Linnet, 10 killed and
14 wounded; the CItubh, (> killed and l(i wounded; and I lie Finch, 1.' wounded. Tliero
were further losses in the gunboats. — W. L. C.
" I'revost's failure to co-operate with the squadron, as he liad undertaken to do,
was largely resiwusible for the disaster. Sir James Lucas Yeo preferred certain
charges against him in consequence ; but Prevost died before he could be brought
before a court-martial. See Mems. of CM. on Prins ati<l others, Aiigust 28th, 1815.
— W. L. C.
' Wellington's Dispatches, xii. Ii24 ; Supplementary Disiiatchee, i. 420, and ix. 438.
See Adams, viii. 102-112, for this battle, ami ix. .'iO-41, for its eflccts on the
negotiations tor jieace.
In his letter of November Dth, writlcn after tlie receipt of the news of the battle
of Lake Champlain, Wellington advises the Cabinet tliat they " have no right, from
the state of the war, to demand any concession of territory from America," and give*
as the main reason, " the want of the naval superiority on tlie lakes."
142 TEE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
for at that time the frontier between the two countries nowhere
passed through any thickly-settled regions, except in the immediate
neighbourhood of gi'eat bodies of water ; and the military operations
that were undertaken had to be conducted with this condition in
%'iew.
The inability of America in any way to interrupt the British
blockade of her coast was now to bear fruit in the disgrace of
the loss of the national capital. Of course, so long as the British
possessed absolute control of the sea, they could take the offensive
whenever and wherever they wished, and could choose their own
point of attack, while the American government never knew what
point to defend. From Marj-land to Georgia the militia were under
arms hterally by the hundred thousand, and they were less efficient
than one-tenth the number of regulars. While in the field they
suffered greatly from disease, so that there was much loss of life,
although there was hardly any fighting ; and on the few occasions
when it was possible to gather them soon enough to oppose them
to a British raiding party, they naturally showed themselves utterly
incompetent to stand against trained regulars. The loss of life
and the waste of wealth b}' the employment of these militia in the
southern states, though they were hardly ever used in battle, offset
many times over the expense that would have been incurred by
building a fighting fleet sufficient to prevent a blockade, and there-
fore to obviate all the damage which it cost during the two years
when it was in force — damage which the privateers only partially
avenged, and in no waj- averted.
Vice- Admiral Sir Alexander F. I. Cochrane had succeeded to the
command of the British fleet on the coast of North America in the
summer of 1814. Eear-Admiral George Cockbiurn was in command
in the Chesapeake, whither Cochrane himself sailed in August,
together with a fleet of transports containing a small British army
under Major-General Eobert Boss. At about the same time Coch-
rane had issued a general order to the British blockading squadrons,
instructing them to destroy and lay waste the towns and districts
which they could successfully assail, sparing only the lives of the
unarmed inhabitants. This was done in alleged retaliation for the
conduct of a party of American soldiers on the Canadian boundaiy,
who had wantonlj- destro.yed the little town of Newark ; although the
destraction of Newark had been promptly avenged by the destruc-
1814.]
BAllNEY'S FLOTILLA.
143
tion of Buffalo and one or two other small American towns, while
the officer who had ordered Newark to be destroyed had been court-
martialled for his conduct. A curious feature of Cochrane's order,
which was, of course, grossly improper, was that it applied only to
the Navy ; and Ross showed by his actions how sti'ongly he dis-
approved of it, for though the Navy did a great deal of plundering
and burning
accordance with the instructions given, Ross's
CAPT.ilN JI)S]IUA DAIINICY, U.S.N.
(From the portrait hij Wimi.')
troops at first paid scrupulous heed to the rights of the citizens,
and in no way interfered with private property.'
The first duty of the fleet was to get rid of Captain Joslnia
Barney's flotilla of gunboats. This llntilla had indulged in several
indecisive long-range skirmishes with various ships of the blockading
squadron, and it was now forced to put into the Patuxent, where
it was burned when Ross advanced on Washington. Barney's
' AiliiniB, viii. 126.
144 THE WAR WITH THE UMTED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
flotilla-men then joined the motley forces gathered to defend the
capital city, and offered a striking contrast in their behaviour on
the field of battle to the rabble of militia around them, who fled
while the sailors fought.'
About the middle of August Cochrane and Ross were ready for
action. On the '20th Ross's troops were disembarked on the Mary-
land shore, some fifty miles distant from Washington ; Cockburn
proceeding up the Patuxent ' on the Maryland side. On the '23rd
they definitely made up their minds to attack Washington first and
Baltimore later. Meanwhile a British squadron, composed of the
frigates Seahorse, 38, Captain James Alexander Grordon (1), and Euri/-
ali(s, 36, Captain Charles Napier (2), with four bombs and rocket
ships, moved up the Potomac. In addition Captain Sir Peter
Parker (2), in the Menelaus, 38, was sent to create a diversion above
Baltimore ; but he happened to meet a party of militia, who fought
well, for when he landed at Bellair to attack them, on August 30th,
he was himself killed and his party beaten back, with a loss of
forty-one men.^
Ross and Cockburn moved against Washington, and, on August
24th, encountered a huddle of seven thousand American militia at
Bladensburg. It could not be called an army. A few companies
were in uniform. The rest were clad as they would have been clad in
the fields, except that they had muskets. They were under two or
three worthless generals, one named Winder being in supreme com-
mand ; and various members of the cabinet, notably Monroe, accom-
panied President Madison in riding or driving aimlessly about among
' ' Biographical Memoir of the late Commodore Joshua Barney,' p. 315.
" Rear-Admiral Cockhuru had under his orders the armed boats and tenders of
the fleet, having on board Royal Marines under Capt. John Robyns, and Royal Marine
Artillery under Captain James H. Harrison. The boats were under the general super-
intendence of Cajitain John Wainwright (2), of the Tonnaitt, and were in three
divisions, commanded as follows : I. Commanders Thomas Ball Sulivan and William
Stanhope Badcock ; 11. Commanders Rowland Money and Kenelm Somerville ;
III. Commander Robert Ramsay. Following the boats, so far as the depth of water
permitted, were the Severn, 40, Captain Joseph Nuurse, Hehrus, 42, Captain Edmund
Palmer, and Manly, 12, Commander Vincent Newton ; but the frigates could not get
higher than Benedict, whence their Captains, with their boats, proceeded to join
Cockburn. — W. L. C.
^ Sir Peter Parker (2), Bart., was eldest son of Vice-Admiral Christopher Paiker (2),
and was born in 1786. He was a Captain of October 22nd, 1805, and, in 1811, had
succeeded to the Baronetcy of his grandfather. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Peter Parker (1).
In the affair at Bellair, near Baltimore, 14 British were killed, including, besides Parker,
jMidshipman John T. Sandes ; and 27 were wounded, including Lieutenants Benjamin
George Benyon and George Poe, R.M. — W. L. C.
1814.]
THE ACTKiN AT BLADENSBUIIG.
145
the troops. Not a third of lioss's little army was engaged,' for
the militia fled too quickly to allow the main hody of the assailants
to get into action. As they were running oft" the field, however,
Barney appeai'ed, with his sailors from the flotilla, also on the run,
but in the opposite direction. He had with him about four hundred
and fifty seamen and marines, the latter being under their own
officer. Captain Miller; and he also had a battery of five guns. It
was a sufficiently trying situation, for Barney's force was hopelessly
Mil .lAMKS AI.KXAXliKI! ccilllidN (1), (i.e. II., AllMlUAl. OK THE KI.EET.
( Friifii IHtfijil's r/it/nivi/ii/, ajli r ii iiiirtntit iiaiiilni frhnut lHi:i. irhin (iordon irati a Ptist-Ctiptain.')
outnumbered by the victorious troops whose attack he was advancing
to meet through a throng of fugitive militia ; but the sailors and
marines were of excellent stuff, and were as little daunted by the
flight of their friends as by the advance of their foes. Again and
' III the action at Hlaiit'iislmrg the British army lost 04 iiilled and 185 wounded.
Tlie Xavy lost only 1 killed and G wounded. Among the naval officers present were
Hear-Admiral George Cockburn, Captain Edmund Palmer, Lieutenant Jaines Scott (2),
of the AJhion, Miuslii|)man Arthur Wakefield, [.icutcn.iiit J^jlin Lawrence, It.M.A., and
Ijieutcnant Athelstan StejilienB, It.M. — W. L. ('.
VOL. vr. L
146 THE ^VAI! WITH THE UXITED STATES, 181-.'-15. [1S14.
again the sailors repulsed the troops who attacked them iu front.
They were then outflanked, and retired, after half an hour's fighting,
a hundred of their men having heen killed or wounded. Both
Barney and Miller were wounded and captured, together with the
guns. One of the British officers, writing afterwards of the battle,
spoke with the utmost admiration of Barney's men. " Not only
did they serve their guns with a quickness and precision that
astonished their assailants, but lliey stood till some of them were
actually bayoneted with fuses in their hands ; nor was it till their
leader was wounded and taken, and they saw themselves deserted
on all sides by the soldiers, that they left the field." ' The victorious
British showed every attention to Barney and his men, treating
them, as Barney said, " as if they were brothers." ■
As Ross and Cockburn led their troops into "Washington they
were fired on from a house, Ross's horse being killed. They then
proceeded to burn the Capitol and the White House, together with
various other public buildings.^ Next day the work of destruction
was completed,* a few private buildings sharing the same fate, while
Cockburn took particular pleasure in destro3'ing one of the news-
paper offices, as he seemed much to resent the criticism of himself
in the American press. Having completed their work, Ross and
Cockburn marched back to the coast, leaving behind them most of
their wounded to be cared for by the Americans.
Whatever discredit attached to the burning and plundering of
Washington attached to both Ross and Cockburn, though Ross
evidently disliked the work as much as Cockburn enjoyed it. It was
only an incident in the general destruction undertaken by Cochrane's
orders. Washington was burned just as, along the shores of the
Chesapeake, hamlets and private houses were burned. The pretext
was that this was done to avenge the destruction of the public
buildings at York, and of the town of Newark, in the American
descents upon Canada. The public buildings at York, however,
were but partially destroyed by stragglers, whose work was at once
checked bv the American officers in command. The burning of
Newark had been promptly repudiated by the American government,
' Gleig"s ' Sulialteru," p. 68. ^ Barney's report, Aug. 29tli, 1814.
' Letters of Cockburn, Aug. 27tli, aud Boss, Aug. 30th ; Ingersoll, ii. 188 ; James's
'Military Occurrences,' ii. 495; Am. State Papers, Military Affairs, i. 550; Niles,
September 1814.
* The Americans themselves destroyed the Argus, 22, and a frigate which was
nearly ready for launching, in order to save them from capture. — W. L. C.
1814.] GORDOX IX THE rOTOMAC. 147
and, moreovei', had already been amply avenged. The destniction
of the public buildings at Washington was indefensible ; and it was
also very unwise so deeply to touch the national pride. The affair
liad a perceptible effect in niakinp; the country more determined to
carry on the war. It is, however, nonsense to denounce the act in
the language that has so often been applied to it. Cockbiirn and
Koss undoubtedly treated the capital of the American nation in a
way which justified an eager desire for revenge ; but Americans
should keep the full weight of their indignation for the government
whose supineness and shortsightedness rendered such an outrage
possible. Jomini has left on record the contemptuous surprise felt
by all European military men when a state, with a population of
eight million souls, allowed a handful of British soldiers to penetrate
unchecked to its capital, and there destroy the public buildings.
The first dutj- of a nation is self-defence ; and nothing excuses such
lack of warlike readiness as the Americans had shown. The inci-
dents which accompanied the capture of Washington were dis-
creditable to the British, hut the capture itself was far more
discreditable to the Americans.
Meanwhile Captain Gordon's little squadron' worked its way
Tip the Potomac, and, on August 28th, took Alexandria, where it
remained for four days, loading the vessels with whatever the ware-
houses contained.-' Then the squadron began its descent of the river,
which was shoal, and very difficult to navigate. Captain John
Rodgers, with some of the crews of two new 44's which were
building, tried to bar his way, but lacked sufficient means. Twice
liodgers attempted to destroy one of the British vessels with fire-
ships, but failed, and once, in bis Uiiii, he repelled an attack by the
British boats. The squadron also passed, without much damage, a
battery of light field-pieces. On September 6th Gordon silenced and
passed the last of the batteries, having taken six days to go down
fri)iii Alexandria. Ilr had Inst forty-two men^ all told, and iiad
' Seahorse, 38, Ciiplain . lames Alexainlei- Gnnlun ; Eunjalus, 3C, Captain Charles
Napier (2); Devtislatioii, l)Oiiil), Coimiiamler Tliomas Alexander (2) ; JEtna, bomb,
Conmiamler Uiclianl Keiiali ; Mitcor, l)oiuli, Cuiiiniaiuier Samuel Roberts; Erebus,
rocket-vessel, Ciimmaniler David Kweii Bartholomew; /'(n'c/y, 18, Commander IJenry
Loraiue Haker (^joined with orders, after the tall of Alexandria); and Anna Maria,
dispatch-ljoat. — VV. L. C.
^ Letter of Captain Oorilon, tSei)t. 'Jth, 1814.
' \iz., 7 killed, inchidiiig Lienteuant Cliarles Dickinson (Fairy), and 35 woundc<l,
inchidinj; Captain Charles Najncr (2), Commander David Kwen Uartholomcw, Lieutenant
Heuben I'aine, and blaster's Mate Andrew lieiil. — W. L. C.
L 2
148 THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
thus concluded successfully, at a very trivial cost, a most venturesome f
expedition, which reflected great honour on the crews engaged in it.
The very rough handling received by Sir Peter Parker (2) put a
check to the marauding of the British frigates and sloops. As soon ■!
as Gordon rejoined him Cochrane sailed from the mouth of the
Potomac to the mouth of the Patapsco River, on which Baltimore
stands. Formidable earthworks had been thrown up about Balti-
more, however ; and to guard it against attack by sea there were good
forts, which were well manned by men who had at last begun to learn
something. Boss advanced against the city by land, and was killed
in a sharp encounter with a body of militia. The troops found the
earthworks too strong to assault; the ships bombarded the forts with-
out any effect ; and then both the soldiers and the sailors ^ retired.^
Not long afterwards Cochrane left for Halifax,^ and the British
troops for Jamaica, so that operations in the Chesapeake ceased.
During this time the British Navy had protected an expedition
which overran, and held until the close of the war, a part of the
Maine sea-coast, and in September, 1814, a large British force,,
under Bear-Admiral Edward Grittith, destroyed the American
corvette Adams, 28, which had run up the Penobscot for refuge.
After leaving Baltimore the British prepared for a descent on
New Orleans, and gathered a large fleet of line-of-battle ships,
frigates and small vessels, under Vice- Admiral Sir Alexander F. I.
Cochrane, convoying a still larger number of storeships and trans-
ports, containing the troops under Major-General Sir Edward
Pakenham. The expedition made its appearance at the mouth of
the Mississippi on December 8th. The first duty which fell to the
boats of the squadron was to destroy five American gunboats which
lay in the shallow baj'ou known as Lake Borgne. Accordingly,
forty-two launches, each armed with a carronade in the bow, and
' III tlie attack on B;iltiiiiiire, tlie GOO seamen wlio were landed were under Captain
Edward Crol'ton, and Commanders Thomas Ball Sulivan, Rowland Money, and Robert
Ramsay, and the Royal Marines under Captain .John Robyn.s. In the aftair of
September 12th, when Major-General Ross fell, the Navy lost T killed and -48 wounded,
among the latter being Captain John Robyus, R.M., Lieutenant Sampson Marshall,
and Midshipman Charles Ogle (2). During a subsequent expedition up the Coan
River, on October .Srd, Commander Richard Kenah, of the ^Etmi, was killed. — W. L. C.
- Cochrane's report, Sept. 17th, 1814.
■'' Cochrane sailed for Halifax on September 19th to make preparations for the
New Orleans expedition. On the same day Eear-Admiral Cockburn departed for
Bermuda; and on October 14th, Rear- Admiral Pulteney Malcolm quitted the Chesa-
peake for Negril Bay, Jamaica. — W. L. C.
1814.] OPERATIONS IN LAKE BOItGNE. 149
carrying nine hundred and eighty seamen and lioyal Marines all told,
were sent off, under Commander Nicholas Lockyer,' to effect their
destruction. The gunboats carried an aggregate of one hundred
and eighty-two men, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas
Ap Catesby Jones, U.S.N. Each was armed with one heavy long-
gun, and several light pieces.'- The attack was made on the
morning of December 14th, 1814.^ Jones had moored his five
gun-vessels in a head and stern line in the channel off Malhem-eux
Island passage, with their boarding nettings triced up, and every-
thing in readiness ; but the force of the current drifted his own
boat and another out of line, a hundred yards down. Jones had
to deal with a force five times the size of his own, and to escape
he had only to run his boats on shore ; but he prepared very coolly
for battle.
Commander Lockyer acted as coolly as his antagonist. When he
had reached a point just out of gunshot, he brought the boats to a
grapnel, to let the sailors eat breakfast and get a little rest, for the}'
had been rowing most of the time for a day and a night, and a
cutting-out expedition meant murderous work. When the men
were refreshed he formed the boats in open order, and they pulled
gallantly on against the strong current. At ten minutes past eleven
the Americans opened fire, and, for a quarter of an hour, had the
firing all to themselves. Then the carronades and light guns on
both sides were brought into plaj-. Lockyer led the advance in a
barge of the Sealiorse. The nearest gunboat was that of the
American commander. Accordingly, it was these two who first came
to close quarters, Lockyer laying his barge alongside Lieutenant
Jones's boat. An obstinate struggle ensued, but the resistance
of the Americans was very fierce, and the barge was repulsed, most
' Cumiiianilcr Nicholas Lockyer, of the Sujiliie, 18, was assisted by Commanders
Ileurv Montrescir, of the Mtnily, aud Saimiel Koberts, of tlie Meteor, bomb, aud each
coiiiiiiaiideil a division of boats. The boats engaged were those of the Tunnant, Norye,
Bedford, liamillies. Royal Oak, Armide, Seahorse, Cydnus, Trave, Sopiiie, Meteor,
Belle Poule, Gorijon, Alceste, and Diomcde. A medal for the action was granted in
1847.— W. L. C.
- Lieutenant Jones's account gives his full force as .0 gunboats, mounting in all
three long .'i2's, two long 24's, twenty-two long (!'s, four lli-pr. carronades, two ")-in.
howitzers, and twelve swivels, and having 182 men on board. He had also with him
the schooner Sealiorse, whicli he detached to Bay St. Louis before the attack, and tiie
little sloop Alligator. — W. L. C.
' Letters of Captain Lockyer, Dec. IStli, 1811, and of Lieutenant .lonesi
March 12th, 1815.
150 THE WAR WITH THE UXTTED STATES, 1812-15. [1814-15.
of her crew being killed or crippled, while her gallant captain was
severely, and the equally gallant Lieutenant George Pratt mortally,
wounded. Another boat, under the command of Lieutenant James
Barnwell Tatnall, grappled the gunboat and was promptly sunk.
But the other boats pulled steadily up, and, one after another, were
laid on board the doomed vessel. The boarding-nets were slashed
through and cut away ; with furious fighting the deck was gained ;
the American commander and many of his crew were killed or
wounded, and the gunboat was carried. Her guns were turned
on the second boat, which was soon taken, and then the British
dashed at the third, which was carried with a rush after a gallant
defence, her commander. Lieutenant Eobert Spedden, being badly
wounded. The next gunboat fell an easy prey, her long-gun having
been dismounted by the recoil, and the fifth then hauled down her
flag. Forty-one of the Americans, and ninety-four of the British,^
were killed or wounded.
A brigade of British sailors took part in the battles before New
Orleans, and shared the disasters that there befell the British army ;
but their deeds belong to military rather than to naval history.
The British Navy did not confine itself to attacks in Chesapeake
Bay and at the mouth of the Mississippi. On September 15th,
1814, the Hermes, 20, Captain the Hon. Henry WiUiam Percy,
Carroll, 20, Captain the Hon. Eobert Churchill Spencer, and 18-gun
brig-sloops Sophie, Commander Nicholas Lockyer, and CJiilders,
Commander John Brand Umfreville, with a land force of about two
hundred men, made an attack on Fort Bov^ryer, at Mobile Point.^
The attack failed completely. The carronades of the ships were
unfit for such a contest, and no damage was done to the fort,
while the Hcriiics grounded and was burnt, and the assailants
were repulsed, losing about eighty men all told.
Early in 1815 Kear-Admiral George Cockburn began to hariy
the coast of Georgia. He gathered a great deal of plunder, and did
much destruction in an expedition up the St. INIary's Eiver. As
' The British lost 17 killed and 77 wounded, out of a totul of about 980 engaged.
Among the killed were Mid.shipmen Thomas W. Moore, John Mills, and Henry
Symons ; among the wounded were Commander Nicholas Lockyer, Lieutenants William
Gilbert Roberts, John Franklin, Henry Gladwell Etough, and George Pratt (mortally),
and Lieutenant James Uniacke, R.M. For the gallantry displayed. Commander Lockyer
was posted on Jlaroli 2!)th, 1815, au<l Commanders Henry Montresor and Sanmel
lioberts were similarly advanced on .Jinie 13th, following. — W. L. C.
- James, vi. 356 (Ed. 1837).
1S15.] EFFECT?; OF THE BLOCKADE. 151
usual, the militia were helpless to impede his movements or relieve
the threatened points. One or two of his boat attacks failed ; and
the small force of American seamen which manned the little flotilla
of gunboats in the shallow waters of the South Atlantic twice
themselves made cutting-out expeditions, in which they captured
two boats of one of his frigates, the Hebrus, and the tender of
another, the Severn? These little checks, however, were merely
sufficient to irritate the British ; and Savannah was in an agony of
well-grounded fear lest she should suffer the fate of Washington,
when peace came, and Cockburn reluctantly withdrew. A dis-
agreeable incident occurred after the news of peace had come. The
British 20-gun sloop Erebus, Commander David Ewen Bartholomew,
came across an American gunboat, under the command of Mr.
Hmiburt, and ordered her to lie to. The gunboat refused, where-
upon the sloop gave her a broadside, and she fired her only gun,
and struck.^ Afterwards Bartholomew apologised, and let the
gunboat proceed. His gunnery had been bad, and none of the
gunboat's crew were hurt. A few months later, on June 30th,
1815, a parallel incident, with the parties reversed, occurred in
the China Seas, where the American sloop Peacock, -ll, met the
little East India Company's brig Naidilii.s, 14.^ The nieeting
will be described later.
Thus, throughout the last year of the war, the American coast
had been blockaded, and liarassed, and insulted by harrying parties,
as w'ell as by descents in force, from the St. John's to the Mississippi.
Virginia, Maryland, Maine and Georgia had been equally powerless
to repel or avenge the attacks from which they had suffered.
Alexandria had been plundered and Hampton burned, the Georgia
coast ravaged and part of Maine permanently held ; and only at the
mouth of the Mississippi — and there, thanks solely to the genius of
Andrew Jackson — had the invaders met a bloody and crushing
defeat. Moreover, the blockade was so vigorous that the shipping
rotted at the wharves of the seaports, and grass gn^w in the business
quarters of the trading towns. Of course very swift and very lucky
merchant vessels now and then got in or out, but they had to charge
for their wares prices that would repay the great risk of capture ; and,
' Navy Dept. MSS., Captaius' LutterB, vol. ■!•.', N'os. lOO and l:!U.
2 lb., vol 43, No. IL'u. Niks's Ihijhtrr, viii. 101, 118.
^ The Nautilus, however, fared worse tliaii Mr. Hurlhiirt's gunboat, lor she lost
li killed, and 'J, including lier commander, Lieutenant Cliarles Boyce, wounded. —
W. L. ('.
152 THE W'AIl WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1815.
for an impoverished people, those prices were nearly prohibitorj'.
The general suffering was very great, and the people, instead of
realising that their own shortcomings were at fault, stormed at the
administration — with very good reason, it must be confessed. The
war had really done a great service ; but this the people, naturally
enough, failed to recognise at the moment ; and the discomfort and
humiliation to which they were subjected made them long for peace.
For eight months the overthrow of Napoleon had left Great Britain
free to put her whole strength against the United States. The result
had by no means come up to her expectations, for her aggressive
movements, at Plattsburg Bay and at New Orleans, had met
with defeat. But the ceaseless pressure of the blockade told heavily
in her favour. Every American citizen felt in his pocket and on his
table the results of the presence of the British warships off the
harboiu- mouths.
No stringency of the blockade, however, could keep the American
cruisers in port. The sloops of war and the big privateers were
commanded and manned by men whose trade it was to run risks and
overcome dangers. Daringly and skilfully handled, they continually
ran in and out of the ports, ever incurring the risk of capture, but
ever doing damage for which their capture could not atone.
Thanks to their numbers, and to the fact that they only fought
when they had to, the privateers did more damage than the sloops
to British commerce. Like the privateers, the sloops cruised, by
choice, right in the home waters of Britain, but they never went
after merchantmen when there was a chance of tackling men-of-war ;
and the chief harrj'ing of the British commerce was left to the men
who did it for personal reasons, actuated half by love of gain and
half by love of adventure.
The deeds of the commerce-destroyers in this war are very
noteworthy. In spite of the fact that the stringency of the blockade
of the American coast increased steadily, and of the further fact that,
during the latter part of the war, the British were able to employ
their whole Navy against the Americans, the ravages of the American
cruisers grew more and more formidable month by month until the
peace. The privateers were handled with a daring and success
previously unknown. Always before this, in any contest with a
European power, the British Navy had in the end been able to
get the hostile privateers completely under, and to prevent any large
portion of British trade from being driven into neutral bottoms.
1814.] THE A^rEnTCAN nilVATEETlS. 153
France possessed treble the population of the United States, and
she had a great fighting fleet ; while her harbours were so near
the English coast as to offer an excellent base of operations against
British coramerce. But, when the American war broke out, Britain
had very nearly driven the French piivateers from the ocean, and
had almost entirely expelled them from British home waters. The
result was that, in 1812, British commerce was safer at sea than it
had been during the early period of the French war. But nothing
of the kind happened in the Ameiican war. The boldness of the
privateers, and the severity of their ravages, increased every year.
In 1814 the privateers that put to sea were large, well-built, fomiid-
ably armed, and heavily-manned vessels, of about the size of the
smaller sloops of war, and faster than any other craft afloat.
England was near to continental Europe, and America was divided
from her by the broad Atlantic ; yet no European nation ever sent
her privateers so boldly into British home waters as did America.
AVherever on the ocean the British merchantmen sailed, thither
the American privateers followed. Their keels furrowed the waters
of the Indian Ocean and the China Seas ; and they made prizes
of vessels that sailed from Bombay, Madras, and Hong Kong.
They swarmed in the West Indies, where they landed and burnt
small towns, leaving behind them proclamations that thus they had
avenged the burning of Washington. They haunted the coasts of
the British colonies in Africa; they lay off the harbour of Halifax,
and plundered the outgoing and incoming vessels, laughing at the
ships of the line and frigates that strove to drive them off. Above
all they grew ever fonder of sailing to and fro in the narrow seas
over which England liad for centuries claimed an unquestioned
sovereignty. They ciiiised in the British Channel where they
captured, not only merchantmen, but also small regularly armed
vessels. The Irish Sea and the Irish Channel were among their
favourite cruising grounds; they circled Scotland and Ireland; one
of them ransomed a Scottish town. The Chasseur of Baltimore,
commanded by Thomas Boyle, cruised for three months off the coast
of England, taking prize after prize, and in derision sent in, to be
posted at Lloyd's, a proclamation of blockade of llic sea-coast ol tlic
United Kingdom.' In September 1814 the merchants of Glasgow,
Liverpool, and l^ristol held meetings, and complained bitterly to
the British Government of the damages inflicted upon them. The
154 rilE WAR WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1815.
Liverpool meeting recited that some ports, particularly Milford, were
under actual blockade. The merchants, manufacturers, shipowners,
and underwriters of Glasgow protested that the audacity of the
American privateers had become intolerable ; that they harassed
the British coasts ; and that the success with which their enterprise
had been attended was not only injurious to British commerce, but
also humbling to British pride ; and thej- added a significant comment
upon the damage which had been done by " a Power whose maritime
strength had hitherto been impolitically held in contempt." The
rates of insurance rose to an unprecedented height. For the first
time in history a rate of 13 per cent, was paid on risks to cross
the Irish Channel. The Secretary of the Admiralty, Mr. Croker,
was forced to admit the havoc wrought even in the Irish and Bristol
Channels, and could only respond that, if the merchantmen would
never sail except under the convoy of a sufficient number of
men-of-war, they would be safe. Such a statement was equivalent
to admission that no imgiaarded ship could safely go from one British
port to another ; and it sufficed to explain why the rate of insurance
on vessels had gradually risen to double the rate which had pre-
vailed during the great war with France.^ On February 11th, 1815,
the Times complained in these bitter words of the ravages of
the American sloops of war and privateers : " They daily enter
in among our convoys, seize prizes in sight of those that should
afford protection, and if pursued ' put on their sea-wings ' and laugh
at the clumsy English pursuers. To what is this owing ? Cannot
we build ships '? . . . It must indeed be encouraging to Mr. Madison
to read the logs of his cruisers. If they fight, they are sure to
conquer ; if they fly, they are sure to escape."
The privateers were not fitted to fight regular war- vessels. As
a rule they rarely made the effort. When they did they sometimes
betrayed the faults common to all irregular fighting men. Many
instances could be cited where they ran away from, submitted
tamely to, or made but a weak defence against, equal or even
inferior forces. But such was by no ineans always the case.
Exceptionally good commanders were able to get their crews into
a condition when they were formidable foes to any man-of-war of
their weight in the world ; for, though naturally the discipline of
a privateer was generally slack, yet the men who shipped on board
her were sure to be skilful seamen, and trained to the use of arms,
' Adams, viii. 'JOO.
1814.] THE "GENERAL ARMSTRONG:' 155
so that, with a Httle driUing, they made good fighting stuff. The
larger privateers several times captured little British national vessels,
cutters and the like. On February -idth, 181.5, the famous Baltimore
schooner Chasseur, of fourteen guns and seventy men, under Thomas
Boyle, captured in fair fight the British war-schooner ,S7. Lawrence,
Lieutenant Heniy Cranmer Gordon,' of almost exactly the same
force, after an obstinate action. -
Some of the bloodiest engagements of the war were between
British cutting-out parties and privateers. The two most notable
cases were those in which the two famous New York privateers, the
Prince de Neitfchdtel and the General Armstrong, were the chief
figures. Both were large swift vessels. The latter was a brig
and the former a brigantine, and both had committed exceptionally
severe ravages on British commerce, having been unusually lucky
in the prizes they had made. As with all of these privateers, it is
ditficult to get at full particulars of them, and, in some accounts, both
are called schooners. The General Ar)nsfru)uj wan armed with one
heavy long-gun and eight long 9's. The Prince de Neufchdtd
carried 17 guns, 9's and 12's, being the larger vessel of the two.
On the '26th of September, 1814, the General Armstrong was lying
at anchor in the road of Fayal. Her master was Samuel Chester
Keid,^ and she had a crew of ninety men on board. A British
squadron, composed of the Plantagenet, 74, Captain Kobert Lloyd ('2) ;
iio#«, 38, Captain Philip Somerville (1) ; and Cawai/o/i, 18, Commander
George Bentham, hove in sight towards sundown. Experience had
taught the Americans not to trust to the neutrality of a weak Power
for protection ; and Reid warped his brig near shore, and made ready
to repel any attempt to cut her out. Soon after dark Captain Lloyd
sent in four boats. He asserted that they were only sent to find nut
what the strange brig was ; but of course no such excuse was
' Tlie St. Lawrence iiiuiiiited twelve lli-pr. cainmailes and uiie long 9, aiul had,
according to JaiiieB (vi. 370, cd. 1837), 51 men and boys, besides passengers, ou board.
She lost (1 killed and 18 wounded. The Chasseur mounted eight IS-jir. carrona.les and
six long 'J's. James, without specifying his authority, says that she hist 5 killed and
8 wounded, out of a complement of Ho. O'Byrne (-108), in his notice of Lieutenant
H. C. Gordon, entirely ignores the affair, and says that Gordon, after receiving his lirst
commission, on February 4th, 1815, never served again. 1 cannot find any ollicial
reixart of the action. — W. L. C.
2 Letter of Boyle, March 2nd, 1815.
^ liis lather, while serving in the Hritisli Xavy, had been made prisoner by the
Aniericans, wliose cause he hail subsecpiently joined. lie had in the nieaiitinu' married
a colonial lady, Itebecca Chester. The son, born in 178.'!, survived until 18(11. Ho
w.as originally in the I'.S. Navy. — W. L. C.
156 THE WAI/ WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
tenable. Four boats, filled with armed men, would not approach
a strange vessel after nightfall merely to reconnoitre her. At any
rate, after repeatedly warning them off, Reid fired into them, and
they withdrew. He then anchored, with springs on his cables,
nearer shore, and made every preparation for the desperate struggle
which he knew awaited him. Lloyd did not keep him long in
suspense. Angered at the check he had received, he ordered seven
boats of the squadron, manned by about a hundred and eighty picked
men, to attack the privateer. He intended the Carnation to accom-
pany them, to take part in the attack ; but the winds proved too
light and baffling, and the boats made the attempt alone. Under
the command of Lieutenant William Matterface, first of the Bota,
they pulled in under cover of a small reef of rocks, where they lay
for some time ; and, at about midnight, they advanced to the attack.
The Americans were on the alert, and, as soon as they saw the boats
rowing in through the night, they opened with the pivot-gun, and
immediately afterwards with their long 9's. The British replied
with their boat carronades, and, pulling spiritedly on amidst a
terrific fire of musketry from both sides, laid the schooner aboard
on her bow and starboard quarter. A murderous struggle followed.
The men-of-wars' men slashed at the nettings and tried to clamber
up on the decks, while the privateersmen shot down the assailants,
hacked at them with cutlass and tomahawk, and thrust them through
with their long pikes. The boats on the quarter were driven off;
but on the forecastle the British cut away the nettings, and gained
the deck. All thi-ee of the American mates were killed or disabled,
and their men were beaten back ; but Eeid went forward on the run,
with the men of the after division, and tumbled the boarders back
into their boats. This put an end to the assault. Two boats were
sunk, most of the wounded being saved as the shore was so near ;
two others were captured ; and the others, crippled from their losses,
and loaded with dead and disabled men, crawled back towards the
squadron. The loss of the Americans was slight. Two were killed
and seven wounded. The fearful slaughter in the British boats
proved that they had done all that the most determined courage
could do. Two-thirds of the assailants were killed or wounded.'
' The number killed was 34, including Lieutenants William Matterface and
Charles E. Norman. The number wounded was 86, including Lieutenant Richard
Rawle, Lieutenant Thomas Park, E.JI., Purser William Benge Basdeu, and twii
Midshipmen. — W. L. C.
I
1814.] TIIK "PRINCE BE NEUFC/IATEL." 157
The brig's long 24 had been knocked off its carriage by a
carronade shot, but it was replaced and the deck again cleared for
action. Next day the Carnation came in to destroy the privateer, but
was driven ot^' by the judicious use of the long-gun. However, as
soon as the wind became favourable, the Carnation again advanced.
Further resistance being hopeless, the General Armstrong was
scuttled and burned, and the Americans retreated to the land.'
The Prince de Neufchdtel was attacked on October lltli, 1.S14.
She had made a very successful cruise, and had on boai'd goods to the
amount of 300,000 dollars, but had manned and sent in so many
prizes that only forty of her crew were left, while thirty-seven
prisoners were confined in the hold. At midday on the lltli, while
off Nantucket, the British frigate Enchjmion, 40, Captain Henry
Hope, discovered her and made sail in chase. Soon after nightfall
it fell calm, and the frigate despatched her boats, with one hundred
and eleven men, under the connuaiul of the first lieutenant, Abel
Hawkins, to carry the brigantine by boarding. The latter triced
up the boarding nettings, loaded her guns with grape and bullets,
and made everything ready for the encounter. The rapid tide held
back the boats as the_y drew near, but they laid the brigantine
aboard, and a most desperate engagement followed. Some of the
British actually cut through the nettings and reached the deck,
but they were killed by the privateersmen as fast as they mounted.
Once the boats were repulsed ; again they came on, but again they
were beaten back ; the launch was captured, and the others pulled
back to the frigate. The slaughter had been very heavy, con-
sidei"ing the number of combatants. The victorious privateer
had lost seventeen killed, ;uul lifU'cii liiidly, and nine; slightly,
wounded, leaving but nine untouched. Of the J^ritish, about half
were killed or wounded, including among the former Lieutenant
Hawkins himself, and, in addition, the launch was taken with the
twenty-eight men in licr.- 'i'he master of the Prince de Neufchdtel
was John Ordronaux, a New Yorker. His name caused the Captain
of the Endi/mion to put him down as a Frenchman.
The commerce-destroying exploits of tlu; American cruisers had
a very distinct effect in fmilicring tlic readiness of llu' liritisb
to come to tci'ius. 'J'liey lu'lpcul to make i'lnglaiul willing to
• Letter of l':i|.l;iiji S. ('. Reiil, Oct. Ttli, IMl I, ami uf Consul .li.liii It. niilmc)'
Oct. 5tli, 1814. .lames, vi.;M!l (Ell. 1S,S7). U-tler nl' ('aptuiii LIwi ; Adaiii-s viii. •JO'J.
'' Coggcshall's 'History of Aiiicriean Privateers,' IJU ; James, vi. 3()2(Kil. 1H;!7).
158 THE JVAII WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814-15.
accept a peace by which neither side lost or gained anything. The
great service rendered by the American commerce-destroyers in the
war of 181"2 must not be bhnked ; bnt on the other hand, the lesson
it teaches must not be misread. The swift cruisers cut up the
British trade terribly, and rendered it unsafe even for the British
coasters to go from one port to another ; but it cannot be too often
insisted that the blockading squadrons of Great Britain almost
destroyed both the foreign and the coast commerce of the United
States. The commerce-destroyers of America did their part toward
making the war of 1812 a draw ; but the great fighting fleets of
England came near making the war a disastrous defeat for the
Americans. The people of the British seaports, especiallj' the
merchants and ship-owners, were sorely distressed by the war ; but
in America whole regions were brought b}" the blockade into a con-
dition of such discontent with their government, that they openh"
talked treason. INIoreover, the privateers, in spite of their ravages,
produced no such effect on the contest as the regular vessels of the
American navy. The victoiies of the American warships kept up the
heart of the United States as no privateer cruiser, however successful,
could keep it up ; and Macdonough's triumph on Lake Champlain
had more effect on the negotiations for peace than the burning
and plundering in the Irish Channel.
The American sloops of war were almost or quite as swift as the
privateers, and were formidable fighters to boot. The smaller man-
of-war brigs (with the exception of the Enterprise) were picked up
at different times by British cruisers, being able neither to mn nor
to fight. Of the large sloops there were by the spring of 1814
four all told, including the Hornet, "20, and the newly built
Wasp, Peacock, and Frolic, 22. These vessels were as successful
in breaking the blockade as the privateers, and more success-
ful in evading capture ; and each of them was a menace, not
merely to the British merchantmen, but to all British armed vessels
less in force than a heavy coi-vette or a small frigate. Like the
privateers, they cruised by preference on the seas where the British
merchantmen and British armed vessels were most numerous, the
immediate neighbourhood of the British Islands being a favourite
haunt.
The British Admiralty had at least partially solved the problem
of meeting the American frigates, by providing that the British
frigates, which were irsuaUy lighter ships, shoidd cruise in couples
1814.] THE ami: I! WAX HLOOl'S. 159
or small sqiiadions. and should avoid encounters with American
frigates of superior fcn'ce ; but it made no such provision in the
case of the sloops, nor was there any evidence of endeavour to make
better the gunnery of the sloops. In consequence, the various sloop
actions with which the war closed ended as favourably for the
Americans as had the early fights in 181'2. The ordinary British
sloop was the 18-gun brig. She was not so good a vessel as the
American ship-sloop caiTying twenty or twenty-two gmis. There
were corresponding ship-sloops in the British Navy ; but no effort
was made to substitute them for the brig-sloops, nor were they so
employed as to bring them into contact with the Wasp, the Hornet,
and their fellows. Moreover, the brig-sloops proved on the whole
to be far more inferior to their opponents in skill than they were in
force. The guimery of the Americans showed itself to the end
much better than the gunnery of the British. The former used
sights for their guns, and were trained to try to make each shot tell,
while even in Nelson's day, and still more after his death, the
British cared more for rapidity of fire than for exactness of aim.
They sought to get so close to their antagonists that the shots could
not well miss. But a badly aimed gun has infinite capacity for
missing, even at close range.
The first of the new American sloops to get to sea was the Frolic, 2'2,
so named after the prize captured by the old Wasj) in 181'2. 8he
cruised for a couple of months under Master-Commandant J()s(>ph
Bainbridge, and, iunf)ng other deeds, sank a large Caitliagenan
privateer, nearly a liuiidred of her crew of Spaniards, ^^'(■st Indians,
and the like, being drowned. Finally, on .\piil 'JOtli, IsU, she was
captured after a long chase by the British 3G-gun frigate Orpheus,
Captain Hugh Pigot (3), and the 12-gun schooner flhvlJ)unie, Lieu-
tenant David Hope.'
The Peacock, 22, Captain Lewis Warrington, sailed IVom New
York on March 12th, 1814. On April 29th, in latitude 'IT 47' N.,
longitude 80 7' W., he encountered a small convoy of merchant-
men under the protection of the ]3ritisli iH-gun brig-sloop Kpcrricr,
Connnandcr Bichard Walter Wales. The Peacock had one luiiHlrod
and sixty-six men in crew, and earned two long 12's and twenty
32-pr. carronades, like the rest of her class. The Epervicr had
one hundred and eighteen in crew, and carried sixteen 32-pr. and
two 18-pr. caiionades. In broadside force the difference was about
' Tlie Frolic was adileil tu llie llnyal Navy a» tho Florida. — W. L. C.
160
THE WAl! WITH THE UMTED STATES, 181:2-15.
[1814.
five to four. However, Wales hauled up to engage, while the
convoy made all sail away.
The Peacock came down with the wind nearly aft, while the
Epervier stood toward her close hauled. At 10. '20 a.ji. they
exchanged broadsides, each using the starboard battery. The
Epervier then eased away, and the two vessels ran off side by side,
the Englishman firing his port gains, while Warrington still used
the starboard battery, aiming at the brig's hull. The Epervier did
CAPTALS LEWI.S WARRINGTON, U.S.N.
(From Gimhmle's engraving, after the portrait hij Jarvis.)
practically no damage whatsoever, while she was heavily punished
by her adversary. Commander Wales's crew, moreover, showed a
lack of courage such as was very unusual in the service, muttering
sullenly that the American was too heavy for them. Half an hour
after close action had begun most of the guns on the engaged side of
the Epervier had been dismounted by the Peacock's shot, or owing to
defective breeching-bolts, or carelessness in the handling ; her hull had
been struck forty-five times ; her masts were badly wounded ; there
1814.] THE "UKINDEEI!" AST) THE '• WASP:' 161
were five feet of water in her hold ; twenty-three of her men were
killed or wounded ; ' and she struck her colours. The Peacock had
lost l)ut two men, hoth slightly wounded ; and there had been some
trifling damage aloft ; Init her hull was not touched. In other
words, the Epervier was cut to pieces, and the Peacock hardly
sci'atched.'- Warrington put a prize crew on board the captured
brig, and brought her in safety to the United States, though on the
way the vessels were chased by two British frigates. These War-
rington succeeded in drawing after his own ship, which w^as very
fast, and could, he was sure, outsail his pursuers. The event
justified his judgment. The Peacock again sailed on June 4th, and
cruised in the mouth of the Irish Channel, round the west and
northern coast of Ireland, and finally in the Bay of Biscay. She
escaped from the frigates that chased her, and captured fourteen
merchantmen : a record which could have been equalled by few of
the privateers, although the latter devoted themselves entirely to
preying on commerce.
The Wasj^, a sister ship of the Peacock, and named in honour of
the old \Vasp, left Portsmouth, Virginia, on May 1st, 1814, under the
command of Captain Johnston Blakely, with a very fine crew of one
hundred and seventy-three men, almost exclusively New Englanders.
Her cruise, both because of her signal daring and success, and because
of the tragic mystery of her end, became one of the most famous
in the annals of the American navy. She slipped through the
blockaders and ran right across to the mouth of the English
Channel. There she remained for several weeks, burning and
scuttling many ships. Finally, on June 28th, in the morning, she
made out a sail which proved to be the 18-gun British brig-
sloop lieindeer, Commander William Manners. The lieiiideer was
armed with '24-pr. carronades and had a crew of one hundred and
eighteen, so that Manners knew that he had to do with a foe who
was half as heavy again as liiniscH'. r>ut in ail the British Navy,
rich as it was in men who cared but little for odds of size or strength,
there was no more gallant or more skilful connnander than Manners,
nor were there braver or better trained men than those under him.
As day broke the lieindeer made s:ul loi- the Wasj) with tlie wind
' Aiii(in<; the severely wnundvil was Lii-ntciiiiiil .lulm llackutt. — W. L. C.
^ James's ' Naval Occurrenocd,' 2 1.3 ; Navy Dept. MSS., Letters of Warrington
A]iril 2()th and June Ist ; American State Papers, xiv. 127: Memoirs of Ailmirnl
Codrington, i. 322.
VOT,. VI. M
162
THE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
nearly aft. The sky was cloudy and the light breeze barely rippled
the sea, so that the vessels stood on almost even keels. All the
morning they slowly drew together, each captain striving to get or
to keep the weather-gage. The afternoon had well begun before
the rolling drimis beat to quarters, and it was three o'clock when
the two sloops came into collision. The Wasp was running slowly
off with the wind a little forward of the port beam, brailing up her
mizen, while the Reindeer closed on her weather quarter with the
flying-jib hoisted. M'hen but sixty yards apart the British fired
CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELY, U.S.N.
(From an engraved jmtrail hi/ Gituhrcdi.)
their shifting 1'2-pr. carronade, loaded with round and grape, into
the Wasp. This was the only gun in either ship that would bear,
and five times it was discharged, before, at twenty-six minutes past
three. Captain Blakely, finding that the Puindecr was not coming on
his beam, put his helm a-lee and luffed up, firing his port guns from
aft forward as they bore. A biscuit could have been tossed from
one vessel to the other as the two lay abreast. The heavy metal of
the American was too much for the Reindeer. Manners himself
was mortally wounded, and was hit again and again, but he
would not leave his post, and continued to cheer and hearten his
men. The vessels had come close together ; and, putting his helm
1814.] GALLANTIiY OF MANNERS. 163
a-weather, he ran the Waap aboard on her port quarter, and called
the boarders forward to try the last desperate chance of a hand to
hand conflict. But Blakely fought with the same courage and skill
as were shown by his antagonist, and used his greatly superior force
to the utmost advantage. As the vessels ground together the men
hacked and thrust at one another through the open port holes. The
Americans gathered aft to repel boarders, the marines, cutlassmen
and pikemen clustering close to the bulwarks, while the topmen
kept up a deadly fire. Then through the smoke the British
boarders sprang, only to die or to be hurled back on their own
decks, while the Reindeer's Marines kept answering the American
fire. As his men recoiled. Manners, mortally wounded, but high
of heart and unconquerable save by death, sprang, sword in hand,
into the rigging to lead them on once more ; and they ralUed be-
hind him. At that moment a ball from the Wasj^'s main-top
crashed through his head, and, with his sword closely grasped in
his right hand, he fell back dead on his own deck, while above him
the flag for which he had given his life still floated. As he fell
Blakely passed the word to board. With wild hurrahs the
Americans swarmed over the hammock nettings ; the wreck of
the British crew was swept away l)y the rush ; and the Captain's
Clerk, Mr. Eichard Collins, the senior officer left, surrendered the
brig, just eighteen minutes after the Waq) had fired her first broad-
side. Twenty-six of the Wasp's crew and sixty-seven' of the
Reindeer's were killed or wounded. -
In neither navy was any ship ever more bravely and more
skilfully fought than either the Wasp or the Reindeer, and the
defeated side showed themselves heroes indeed. In courage,
seamanship and gunnery, there was nothing to choose between
the two combatants ; and tlie advantage lay with the nation whose
forethought had provided the better ship. In all these naval duels
no victorious ship, except tlie Sliannon, suffered so heavy a relative
loss as the Reindeer inflicted on the II '((.sy), and, before accepting
defeat, the Reindeer herself had siif't'ored more than any other
defeated ship, except the Frolic.
' The Bc'iidecr lust 2^) killeil uii<l 12 wuuiided. Amon|i the killed were Coin-
niaiider jraiiiiciK and i'liiser .Icihii 'I'liumas I'.arton ; among the wounded, Lieutenant
Thomas ChaniburH, Master's Mate Jlatlhew Mitcliel), and Midsliipman Henry llanli-
man. Manners was a young Cuninjander of February 7th, ISIL', and was au e.xiellent
and idolised otlicer. — \V. L. C.
'^ Letterof Captain Hlakely, July 8tli, 181-1; Cooper, ii. L'HT; James, vi. 291 (Ed. 1837).
M 2
164 THE WAR Wirn THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814.
The Wasj) burned her prize, and sailed into the French port of
Lorient to refit. On August 27th she sailed again, making two
prizes in the first three days. On the 1st of September she came
upon a convoy of ten sail under the protection of the Armada, 74,
bound for Gibraltar. Confident in her speed and in the seamanship
of the crew, Blakely hovered round the convoy, though chased off
again and again by the two-decker, and finally cut off and captured
a ship laden with iron and brass cannon, muskets, and other military
stores of value. He was then on a cruising ground traversed in
every direction by British warships and merchantmen, and on the
evening of the same day he made out four sail, of whom it after-
wards turned out that three were cmisers, being the British ship-
sloop Tartarus, 20, and the l)rig-sloops Avon, 18, and CastiUun, IS.
Blakely soon became convinced that three of the four were hostile
vessels of war. Nevertheless he determined to engage one of them
after nightfall, hoping to sink or capture her before either of her
consorts could come to her aid. It was a very bold determination,
but it was justified by the Wasp's efficiency as a fighting machine.
Blakely had less men in crew than when he fought the Reindeer, but,
profiting by his experience with the latter, he had taken on board her
12-pr. carronade.
The three British sloops were in chase of an American privateer
schooner, while the American sloop in her turn chased them. The
privateer outsailed her pursuers, and the latter graduaUy drew apart
until the headmost, the CastiUan, was nine miles distant from the
rearmost, ihe Avon, when, late in the afternoon, the Wasp began to
approach the latter. The Avon was under the command of Com-
mander the Hon. James Arbuthnot. She carried twenty gims,
including sixteen 32-pr. caiTonades, a hght shifting carronade, two
long guns as bow-chasers, and another light long-gun as stern-chaser.
Her crew numbered one hundred and seventeen. The odds against
her in point of force were thus far less than in the case of the
licindeer, being about what they were against the Epervier, or five
to four in weight of broadside. As the Wasp approached, the Avon,
not desiring to encounter her single-handed, began signalling with
her lanterns to her consorts ahead, and when she met with no
response she fired signal shots to them.'
Soon after 9 p.m. the Wasp, steering free thr-ough the darkness,
' According to some British accounts, the night-signals and the shuts were
directed to the Wasp. James, 297 [ed. 1837].— W. L. C.
1814.] THE "AVON" AND THE "WASPr 165
got on the weather quarter of the Avon, and the vessels exchanged
hails. The action began by the Wasp firing her 12-pr. carronade,
and the Avon responding, first with lier stern-chaser, and then with
her aftermost port guns. Blakely jmt his helm up lest his adversary
should try to escape, ran to leeward of her, fired his port broadside
into her quarter, and then ranged up on her starboard beam.' A
furious night fight followed at very short range. The Wasp's men
did not know the name of their antagonist, but her black hull loomed
clearly through the night, and aloft in her tops the clustered forms
of her sailors could be seen against the sky. Four round shot struck
the Wasp's hull, killing two men ; and another man was wounded by
a wad. This was all she suffered below, but aloft her rigging was a
good deal cut, for the practice of the Avon was bad, her guns being
pointed too high. The Wasp's fire, on the contrary, was directed
with deadly precision. The Avon's hull was riddled through and
thr-ough, until there were seven feet of water in the hold, the lower
masts were wounded, and the standing and running rigging were
cut to pieces. Five of the starboard guns were dismounted, and
forty-two of the crew killed or wounded.^ Less than three
quarters of an hour ^ after the beginning of the action she struck
her colours.
While Blakely was lowering away the boat to take possession,
the Castilian, Commander George Lloyd (actg.), made her appear-
ance, and soon afterwards the Tartarus also approached.* They had
been recalled by the noise of the cannonade, and had come up under
a press of sail. When the Castilian came m sight Blakely again
called his men to quarters, and made ready for battle ; but the
appearance of the Tartarus forced liini to rcliiujuish llic idea ol'
fighting. Accordingly, the braces having been cut away, the Wasp
was put before the wind until new ones could be rove. The
Castilian followed her, but the Avon had begun to fire minute-
guns and make signals of distress, and Commander Lloyd deemed
it his duty to put back to her assistance. He accordingly I'etunu'd
' Blakely's lettec, S.,'|.t. Sili, 181-1.
^ The iiuniber killed was 10, iiichidiiif; Lieiitciiaiit .lulin Preiidergast ; the luimlHT
wounded was ."^2, iiicludin.i; Comnianilcr Arlmthiiot, Lieiiteiiant .Tdlm Harvey (4), and
Midshijinian Jolm 'I'ravers. — \V. L C
' According to tlie British accounts, tlie action began a( 1».'JI! p.m., and llio Auoii sur-
rendered at 10.12 iMi. ; but James (vi. 208, ed. 1837) shows grounds for believing that
the surrender occurred at nearly 11 i>.m. — W. L. C.
■* Niles's Register, vi. 210.
166 THE WAB WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1814-15.
to his consort, after firing his lee guns over the weather quarter of
the Wasp, cutting her rigging shghtly, but not touching a man,
nor doing any other damage. He consoled himself by reporting
that if he had been able to attack the Wasj] she would have " fallen
an easy prey " to him, and that he did not doubt that his broadside
was "most destructive."^ The Avon sank soon afterwards.
James comments on this action as follows : " The gallantry of
the Avon's crew cannot for a moment be qiiestioned, but the gunnery
of the latter appears to have been not a whit better than, to the
discredit of the British Xavj-, had frequently before been displayed
in combats of this kind. Nor, from the specimen given by the
Castilian, is it likely that she would have performed any better." ^
As for the Wasp, she had performed a most notable feat of cool
daring and skilful prowess.
She next cruised southward and westward, taking and scuttling or
sending in several prizes, one of much value. On October 9th she
spoke the Swedish brig Adonis, which had on board a couple of the
officers formerly of the Essex, on their way to England from Brazil.
This was the last that was heard of the gallant Wasj). How she
perished none ever knew. All that is certain is that she was never
seen again. In all the navies of the world at that time there were no
better sloop, and no braver or better captain and crew.
The blockading squadrons watched with special vigilance the
harbours containing American frigates. Three frigates cniised off
Boston, where the Constitution lay, and four off New York, where
Decatur kept the President ready to put to sea at the first oppor-
tunity. The Constitution, always a lucky ship, managed to take
advantage of a temporary absence of the three frigates that were
watching her and shpped to sea. The President made a similar
attempt, but fared badly.
The Peacock and Hornet were Iving with her, all three intendins
to start on a cruise for the East Indies, where they hoped to do
much damage to British trade. The blockading squadron off the
port consisted of the Majestic, 56, Captain John Hayes, with long
32-prs. on the main-deck, and 42-pr. carronades on the spar-deck,
the Endijmion, 40, Captain Henry Hope, carrying twenty-six 2J;-prs.
on her main-deck, and twenty-two 3'2-pr. carronades, and two bow-
chasers on her spar-deck, with a crew of about three hundred and
' Letter of Lluyd, Sept. 2nd, 1814 ; Adams, viii. 19C.
2 James, vi. 299 (Ed. 1S37).
1815.] CAPTUIIE OF TIIK '' I'ltESIDENT." 167
tift\' men ; and the two 38-gua frigates Pouwiie, Captain John
Kichard Liunley, and Tenedos, Captain Hj'de Parker (3). On
January 14th, 1815, a severe snow-stonn blew them off the coast.
Hayes was sure that the President wotiKl take advantage of their
absence to slip out ; and he shaped his course back with a view to
the course which the escaping American would be apt to take.'
The event justified his judgment.
The r reside lit had tried to put to sea in the gale, but she struck
on the bar, where she beat heavily for an hour and a half, springing
her masts and becoming so hogged and twisted that she would have
put back to port if the storm had not blown so furiouslj' as to
render it impossible." Before dayhght next morning, Sandy
Hook bearing W.N.W., fifteen leagues distant, she ran into the
British squadron, and a headlong chase followed. During the early
part of the day, when the wind was still strong, the powerful
Majestic went better than any of the other ships, and fired occa-
sionally at the President without effect. The Pomone towards
noon began to gain rapidly, and would have overtaken the President
had she not been sent to investigate the Tenedos, which turned up in
an unexpected quarter, and was mistaken for another American ship.
In the afternoon the wind became light and baffling, and the Endij-
niioii forged to the front and gained rapidly on the President, which
was making a large amount of water in consequence of the injuries
which she had received while on the l)ar. ¥ov throe hours the ships
occasionally interchanged shots from their bow and stern chasers.
At about half-past five the Endymion drew up close, and began to
pour in her broadsides on the President's starboard quarter, where
not a gun of the latter would boar. Vor Imlf an hour tlie President
bore the battering as best she might, unable to retaliate ; and she
did not like to alter her course, lest she should lessen her chance of
escape. Moreover, Decatur expected the Endymion to come up
abeam. But Captain Hope kept his position by yawing, not wishing
to forfeit his advantage. In this he was quite right, for the
President suEeved more during the half-hour when she had to endure
the unrcturned fire of her opponent than during the entire remainder
of the combat. At six o'clock Decatur found his position unbearable,
' Letters of Rcar-Adiii. tht' Jloii. Sir ilrmy llcitlmin, .Jan. 'J.'lid, 1S1.5, mid C'a]itniii
Hayes, Jan. 17th, 181"i.
* Letters of Decatur, Jan. 18tli and March liih, ISl I ; lleport of courl-irartinl,
Aiiril 20th, 1815.
168 rilE WAI: WITH THE UNITED STATEH, 1812-15. [1815.
and kept off, heading to the south. The two frigates ran abreast, the
Americans using the starboard, the British the port, battery. Decatur
tried to close with his antagonist, but the latter, being both a lighter
and a swifter ship, hauled up and frustrated the attempt. The
President then endeavoured to dismantle the British frigate, and thus
get rid of her. In this she was successful. The Endyrnions sails
were cut from her yards, and she fell astern, the fire gradually dying
away on both sides. The last shot was fired from the President}
Three hours afterwards, at eleven o'clock, the Ponioue caught up
with the President, and gave her two broadsides, which killed and
wounded a considerable number of people. The Endijmion was out
of sight astern. Decatur did not return the fire, but surrendered,
and was taken possession of by the Tenedos. He delivered his sword
to Captain Hayes of the Majestic. In the President twenty-four
were killed, and fiftj' wounded;'^ in the Endymion eleven were
killed and fourteen wounded. Two days afterwards, in a gale, all
three of the President's, and two of the Endijmion' s masts went
by the board, and the Endymion, in addition, had to throw over-
board her quarter-deck and forecastle guns.
This was an important success for the British. It was won by
the vigilance of Captain Hayes, and the foresight of the British in
stationing ample blockading squadrons off' the harbours where the
American frigates \a.y. The Endijmion was a much lighter ship
than the Prcsideiit, and could not be expected to capture her, for
the President had a hundred more men in crew, two more guns in
broadside on the main-deck, and 42's instead of 32's on the spar-deck.
What Captain Hope could do he did ; that is, hang on the quarter
of an enemy who had no choice but flight, pouring in broadsides
which could not be returned, and then, when he did engage, keep
up the battle as long as possible, and do as much damage as he could,
before dropping out of the combat. The relative loss is of course no
criterion of the merits of the fight, because the President was trying
to escape. She did not attempt to return the earliest and most
destructive broadsides of the Endymion, and afterwards devoted her
attention chiefly to the effort to unrig her oxaponent, while part of her
loss was caused by the two unreturned broadsides of the Pomone.
' Log of Pomone, ' Naval Chronicle,' sxxiii. 370.
^ Neither Hope nor Hayes in his letter gives details of the loss suffered by the
President. James (vi. 3G5, ed. 1837), without specifying his authority, says that the
President lost 35 killed and 70 wounded. — AV. L. C.
1815.]
CRUISE OF THE " CONSTlTUriOX:'
169
So far as the Enchjmion is concerned, Decatur seems to have done
all he could, and no severe censure could be passed on him for
surrendering when attacked by a fresh frigate, with another close
astern. It certainlj' seems, however, that it would have been worth
his while to try at least a few broadsides on the Pomone. A
lucky shot might have taken out one of her masts, and then he
would have had a chance to dispose of the Tenedos and make good
C.\rTAIN rllAlil.lCS STKWAUT, I'.S N.
(Aftrr (ioi'diiian's cwjnu'in'j, friim a imytrait hij Wmid.)
his>scape. Of course it was not miu-li df ii cliinuT, but tlicre were
plenty of captains in both the British and the American navies who
would certaiidy have taken advantage of it.
After escaping from Boston, the Constitution, 44, Captain Cbarlcs
Stewart, went to Bernnida, tbence to the Bay of Biscay, and tinaily
towards Madeira. On February 'iOth, 181.'), the latter island bcaiiiig
W.S.W. 60 leagues, she encountered two British ships, the frigate-
built Cyanc, 22, Captain Gordon Thomas Falcon, and the flush-
170 THE WAIi WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1S15.
decked Levant, 20, Captain the Hon. George Douglas. The Cfiane
carried twentj'-two 3'2-pr. carronades on her main-deck, and, on her
spar-deck, two long 6's, eight 18-pr. carronades, and a 12-pr. boat
carronade. The Levant carried eighteen 32-pr. carronades, and two
long 9's, together with a 12-pr. boat carronade. The Cijane had
about 170, and the Levant about 130 in crew. The Constitution
carried about 450 men.
The two ships together could not be considered as powerful
as a 38-gun frigate like the Java or the Guerriere, which the
Constitution had already captured. Nevertheless the two British
Captains very gallantly, but not very discreetly, came to the
conclusioii to try their luck with the Constitution. Five years
earlier two such vessels, the Bainbow and the Avon, had fought
a draw with the French 40-gun frigate Nereide, the odds against
them being just about as heavy as against the Cyane and Levant ;
but on this occasion the two small craft had to deal with a
much more formidable antagonist than any French frigate ; and
nothing in their own skill, or in the events of the preceding
three years of warfare with the Americans, warranted their making
the experiment.
The Constitution came down off the wind, while the two ships
hauled close to the wind to trj* to w"eather her, so as to delay action
until after nightfall, when they hoped that the darkness would
favour their manoeuvres. The frigate came down too fast, however,
and the British stripped to fighting canvas, and stood on the starboard
tack, the Levant a cable's length ahead of the Cyane. The Con-
stitution's long-guns would have enabled her to cut the two craft
to pieces without damage to herself, as she was to windward ; but
this would have involved the risk of one or the other of them
escaping; and she ranged up to windward of them, with the Levant
on her port bow and the Cyane on her port quarter, close enough
for the marines to begin firing soon after the engagement began.'
There was a bright moon, but the smoke hung so heavily that at
one time the firing ceased, the antagonists not being able to distin-
guish one another. There was some dexterous manoeuvring, all three
ships endeavouring to rake or avoid being raked, and at 6.50 p.m.,
just forty minutes after the beginning of the action, the Cyane
submitted and was taken possession of.
' Letter of Captain Charles Stewart, May 20th, 1815; Log of Constitution
Feb. 20th, 1815 ; ' Naval Chronicle,' x.Kxiii. 466 ; Xiles, viii. 2J9, 363, 383.
1815.] CAPTUHE OF THE "Cl'AXE" AND THE "LEVAST." 171
When the prize had beau manned, Stewart made sail after her
consort, which had run off to leeward. Captain Douglas had only
gone out of the combat to refit, however, and, as soon as he had rove
new braces, he hauled to the wind and stood back in search of his
consort, an act of loyal gallantry which should not be forgotten.
At 8.50 P.M.' he met the huge frigate, and passed under her
batteiy, the Constitution and Levant going in opposite directions
and exchanging broadsides. Finding that the Cyane had surrendered,
and it being, of course, utterly impossible for a ship of his force to
fight the Constitution, Douglas crowded all sail to escape, but was
overtaken and captured half an hour afterwards. Of the 302 men
on board the British ships, 41 were killed or wounded : - of the
451 men on board the Constitution, 15 were killed or wounded,
and she was hulled eleven times, more often than by either the
Guerrih-e or the Java. She was of such superior force that only
a very real inferiority of skill on her part would have enabled her
enemies to make it a drawn combat. As a matter of fact both sides
fought well ; but the Constitution csqiiwveA her foes without suffering
any material loss or damage. The gallantry of the two British
Captains was conspicuous, but they did not show good judgment in
engaging, for, as has been said, there was nothing in their experience
to justify the belief that their conduct would result otherwise than
it did, that is, in an easy victory for their antagonist.^
Stewart took his prizes to the Cape de Verde Islands, and
anchored in Porto Praya on March 10th. A hundred of the
prisoners w'ere landed to help fit out a brig which was taken
as a cartel. Next day the weather was thick and foggy, with
fresh breezes, and at noon the upper canvas of a large vessel was
suddenly made out, just above the fog bank, sailing towards the
harbour. Immediately afterwards the canvas of two other ships
was discovered, and it became evident that all three were heavy
frigates. In fact they were the very three sjiips which had blockaded
the Constitution off Boston : the Leander, 50, Captain Sir George
Ralph Collier, K.C.B. ; the Ncwcastlr, 50, Captain Lord George
' Tlio time given in the British accounts is H.30 i-.M., iinil the tiniu of striking at
10.30 P.M.— W. L. C.
' The Leuant hail (i kiUcil ami V) wounilcil ; the ''i/'iiir, 0 killed and 13 wounded.
— W. L. C.
' Captains Douglas and Falcon were tried on board the A/,bii>; at Halifax, on
June 28th, 1815, for the loss of their .sliijis, and were most honuiirably aci|uiltod. —
\V. L. C.
172 THE WAI! WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1815.
Stuart ; and iheAcasta, 40, Captain Alexander Eobert Kerr.^ Captain
Stewart knew that the neutraUty of the port would not save him,
and that there was not a minute to lose if he wished to escape. As
it was, only the perfect training of his officers and men enabled him
to get out. Signalhng to his prizes to follow him, he cut his cables,
and, in less than ten minutes from the time when the first frigate was
seen, all three vessels were standing out of the harbour, the Levant
being commanded by Lieutenant Hofl'man, and the Cijane by Lieu-
tenant Ballard. The prisoners on shore jpromptly manned a
Portuguese battery and delivered a furious, but ill-directed fire at
the retreating Constitntion, Levant, and Cijane. They stood out of
the harbour in that order on the port tack, all to windward of the
British squadron. The Americans made out the force of the
strangers correctly, and the Acasta discerned the force of the
Americans with equal clearness ; but the Leander and Newcastle
mistook the two sloops for American frigates — an error, by the way,
which the American Captain Kodgers had once committed in regard
to a couple of British ships which he encountered, a sloop and a
little 1'2-pr. frigate.
The British ships made all sail in chase, the Newcastle and
Leander on the Constitution's lee quarter, and the Acasta well
to windward of them. In an hour the Cyane had fallen so far
astern and to leeward that Captain Stewart signalled to Hoffman
to tack lest he should be cut off. Hoffman did so, and escajied
unmolested, no British ship following him. He took his prize
safely to the United States. Half an hour later the Newcastle
opened on the Constitution, but the shot fell short. Though so
close, the commanders of the two 50-gun ships still apparently
mistook the Levant, which was a low flush-decked sloop, for an
American frigate. At three o'clock she had sagged so as to be in the
same position as that from which the Cyane had just been rescued.
Accordingly, Captain Stewart signalled to her to tack. She did so,
whereupon all three British ships tacked in pursuit. Such a
movement is inexplicable, for, even had the Levant been a
frigate, the rearmost 50-gun ship alone would have been enough
to send after her, while the other two should not have abandoned
the chase of the Constitution. It is said that there was a mistake
in the signalling, but the blunder was never satisfactorily exj)lained.
' Log of Constitution, March 11th, 1815 ; Letters of Lieut. Hoffman, April 10th,
and of Lieut. Ballard, May 2nd ; Marshall's ' Naval Biograpliy,' ii. 533.
1815.] THE "PENGUIN" AND THE "/lORNET." 173
At any rate, Stewart got off in safety, and, when he learned of the
peace, returned to Xew^ York.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Ballard took the Levant back to Porto
Praya, and anchored a couple of hundred yards from a heavy battery
on the shore. The event justihed the wisdom of Captain Stewart
in not trusting to the neutrality of the port. All thi'ee British
frigates opened upon the Levant as soon as they got into the
harbour, while the British prisoners on shore fired the guns of the
battery at her. The Levant was at anchor, and did not resist ; and
the gunnery of her assailants was so bad that not a man in her
was killed by the broadsides of the three hea\'3' frigates, though
she was a stationary target in smooth water. The chief effect of
the fire was to damage the houses of the Portuguese to^\Ti.
A week after the President's effort to run the blockade out of
New York, the Peacock and Hornet made the same attempt, with
more success. On Januai-y 22nd a strong north-westerly gale began
to blow, and the two sloops at once prepared to take advantage of
the heavy weather. They passed the bar by daylight under storm
canvas, the British frigates lying-to in the south-east, in plain sight
from the decks of the sloops. A few days out they parted company,
intending to meet at Tristan d'Acunha.
The Hornet was then under the command of Captain James
Biddle, and she had on board a crew of about one hundred and forty
men.' She reached the island on the 23rd of March, and was about
to anchor, when she made out a strange sail, which proved to l>e the
l^ritish brig-sloop Penguin, 18, Commander James Dickinson (3),
with a crew of one hundred and thirty-two men, she having taken
on board twelve extra Marines linin the Medira//. 71. The Hornet
carried twenty guns, all 32-pr. carronades, except two long 12's for
bow-chasers. The Penguin carried nineteen giuis : sixteen 32-pr.
carronades, two long (i's as bow-chasers, and a 12-pr. carronade.
The difference in U)vce was trilling, hut, such as it was, it was in
favour of the Americans.
The two ships l)egan action at 1.40 p.m., within nuiskct-shot of
one another, running on the starboard tack, the Penguin to wind-
' Her muster rolls, in the Treasury Deparlnieiit at Washington, show that when
she left Xcw York slie had ahout 11(1 oflk-ers and crew all told, inclinlinj; 2i> ninrineB ;
but she had manned a prize. The same rolls show the names of I'J'J )irisoneis which
she took out of the I'enguin ; and ten of the I'lKi/uiii'ii crew were killed in the liuhl or
died immediately afterwards.
174
THE WAll Wrril THE UNITED UTATES, 1812-15.
[1815.
ward.' After a quarter of an hour of close action Commander Dickin-
son put his hehu a-weather to run his adversary aboard. Almost at
the same moment he was mortally wounded, and the first lieutenant,
James M'Donald, endeavoured to cany out his intentions. The
Penguin's bowsprit came in between the Hornet's main and mizen
i-igging, but the sea was very rough, and no attempt at boarding
was made. As the Hornet forged ahead, the Penguin's bowsprit
CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE, U.f.S.
(,Froiii Giiiibrt'dc's engraving, ijftcr the portrait lnj J. Wuod.)
carried away her mizen shrouds, stern davits, and spanker boom,
and the brig then hung on the ship's starboard quarter, so that
none of the big gur.s could be iised on either side. A British officer
called out something which Biddle understood to be the word of
siuTender. Accordinglj-, he directed his marines to cease firing, and
jumped on to the ta&ail, but was himself at oLce shot and wounded
' Biddle's letter, March 25th, 1815 ; M'Donald's letter, April 6th, 1815 ; Vice-Adin.
Tyler to Comm.inder Dickinson, Jan. 3rd, 1615 ; James, vi. 498 ; Niles, viii. 345.
1815.] CHASE OF THE "I/ORyET." 175
rather severely in the neck by two of the Marines on the Penguin's
forecastle, both of whom were killed in another moment by the
marines of the Hornet. As the ships drew apart the Penguin's fore-
mast went overboard. Her hull was riddled, and most of the gmas
on her engaged side were dismounted, while thirty-eight of her men
were killed or wounded.' Thereupon, she struck her colours at
two minutes past two, but twenty-two minutes after the first gun
had been fired. In the Hornet one man was killed, and ten were
wounded, chiefly by musketry fire, for not a round shot struck her
hull. Next day Biddle destroyed his prize.
This was the last regular action of the war. In it the British
displayed their usual gallantry, but it is astonishing that their
gunnery should have continued so bad. Dickinson laid down his life
for the flag which he served ; and when a man does that it is difficult
to criticise him ; but the gumiery of the Penguin was certainly as poor
as that of any of the British ships in 1812. The Hornet showed the
utmost efliciency in every way. There was no falling-off from her
already very high standard of seamanship and gunnery.
Next day the Peacock joined the Hornet, and on April 'ind the
two started for the East Indies. On the '27th of the month they
made sail after what they supposed to be an Indiaman, but, when
they got close, discovered, to their consternation, that she was the
CornwaUis, 74, Captain John Bayley, bearing the flag of liear-
Admiral Sir George Burlton, K.C.B. The Peacock, a very fast
vessel, was speedily out of danger, but the Hornet endured a forty-
eight hours' chase.- By daylight of the 29th the 74 was within
gunshot of the sloop, and opened fire upon her. Throughout the
early part of the day the Hornet was several times on the very edge
of capture. More tiian once she was within fair range of the 74's
long-guns, and the latter not only used her bow-chasers but also
hauled up to deliver broadsides. On each occasion Biddle gained
a brief respite by lightening ship, throwing overboard by degrees all
his spare spars, stores, anchors, shot, boats, ballast, and all the guns
but one. The guns of the Cornwallis were very unskilfully served,
and but three shot got home. In the afternoon the sloop was saved
by a shift in the wind, which brought her to windward ; and, as it
' The Pcnyuin had 6 killed, incliiding Commander Diukinsou, 4 mortally wouiided,
and 28 otherwise wounded, incliidii]); Lieutenant John Elwin, Master's Mate John
Holmes bond, and Midshi|iijian .lolin Noycs. James Dickinson (3) was a Commander
of October 21st, 1810.— \V. L. C.
* Biddle's letter ol' June 10th ; Loj; iif Jlonitt.
176 THE WAR WITH THE UXITED STATES, 1812-15. [1815.
blew fresher and fresher, she got further ahead. When day broke
the two-decker was hull down astern, and, shortly afterwards, aban-
doned the pursuit.
The Peacock rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and captui-ed four
great Indiamen, very valuable prizes. Then on the 30th of June,
in the Straits of Sunda, she fell in with the East India Company's
cruiser Nautilus, a brig of not half her force.' The Nautilus in-
formed Captain Warrington of the peace, but Wari-ington chose to
disbelieve the information, and ordered the brig's commander, Lieu-
tenant Charles Boyce, I.N., to haul down his colours. This the latter
refused to do until a couple of broadsides had been exchanged, when
he smTendered, having had fifteen men killed or wounded. The
Peacock was not even scratched. There was no excuse whatsoever
for Warrington's conduct. It was on a par with that of Commander
Bartholomew, of the British sloop Erebus, mentioned above.
This was the last expiring sputter of the war. Peace had been
declared ; and, while Warrington was cruising in the far Indian seas,
his countrymen at home were building and launching ships of the
line, and Decatur was preparing to lead a squadron against the
Moorish pirates.
The United States' Navy ended the war far stronger than it had
begun it ; and in the list of the United States' vessels for 1815 there
appeared two novel engines of destruction, the forerunners of their ,
kind, the heralds of the revolution which, fifty years later, opened a ^
new era in naval warfare. In the United States' Xavy List for '
1815 appeared the names of the war-steamer Fulton, and of the
Torpedo. During the war several efforts had been made by the
Americans to destroy* British vessels with toi"pedoes, but nothing had
been accomplished beyond making some ships waiy about venturing
into good anchorage, especially in Long Island Sound. The Fulton,
with her clumsy central wheel concealed from shot by a double hull, l
with scantling so thick that hght guns could not harm her, and with, f
instead of broadside batteries of light guns, two 100-pr. columbiads '^
on pivots, was the prototype of the modern steam ironclad. *
The war had ended, and the treaty - left matters precisely as
' ' History of the Indian Nayy,' by Charles Kathbone Low, p. 285.
'' A convention was signed at Ghent on December 2-tth, 1814, but tlie convention
was only a compromise, which left undecided all the chief points upon which the two
countries had been at issue, and which reserved certain questions for future negotiation.
As has been seen, definite news of the peace did not reach outlying stations until two
or three months later. — W. L. C.
1812-15.] FOLLY OF DFFENSIVE WAnFAHF. 177
they were before the war began ; yet it would be idle to say that, for
either side, the war was not w'orth fighting. To Great Britain it
was probably a necessary incident of the Napoleonic struggle, for
neither the British statesmen of that day, nor the people whom
they governed, realised either the power or the rights of the United
States. To America it was certainly a necessary prereqinsite for
attaining the dignity and self-respect of a free nation. The war left
enduring memories of gloiy, and courage, and love of countrj-, which
more than made up for the loss of blood. Moreover, the war taught
certain lessons which should have been, although perhaps they
were not, well pondered bj^ the statesmen of the two coiintries, and
especially by those who had, or have, to do with shaping the national
policy of either. Nations must be prepared for war : lack of prepara-
tion, laxness in organisation, invite disasters which can be but
partially repaired. The successes of the American cruisers show
that no power can afford to lull itself to sleep by the dream of
invincibility. A nation should see that its ships are of the best, and
that the men who man them are trained to the highest point of
efficiency. The terrific pressure of the British blockade on the
American coast, and the utter impotence of America to break it,
show, what has already been shown ten thousand times, that the
assumption of a simple defensive in war is ruin. Success can only
come where war is waged aggressively. It is not enough to parry
the blows of the enemy. In order to win, the foe must himself be
struck, and struck heavily.
The sea-power of the British, the unceasing pressure of the
British fleet, very nearly made the struggle a victory for Great
Britain ; but the triumphs of the American squadrons on tlie lakes,
and of the frigates and sloops on the ocean, and the ruthless harrying
of the British trade by the American commerce-destroyers, inflicted
such severe punishment as to make the British more than willing to
call the fight a diaw.'
' The liistory of the Hartford Couventiou is proof enough of how near the United
States were to disaster. The impression ]iroduced iu Great Britain by the prowess of
the American ships is shown in a letter from the British naval historian, William
James, to George Canning, iu 1827, when war was once more threatened, "(ine
[raercliant] says, ' We had better cede a point or two than go to war with the United
States.' ' Yes,' says another, ' for wo shall get nothing but hard knocks there ! '
' True,' adds a third, ' and what is worse than all, our seamen are more than half afraid
to meet the Americans at sea ! ' Unfortunately this depression of feeling, this cowed
spirit, prevails very generally over the community, even among persons well-informed
on other subjects, and who, were a British seaman to bo named with a Frenchman or
VOL. VI. N
178 THE WAR WITH THE UXITET) .STATES, 18112-15. [1812-15.
The man who is anxious to learn the lessons of histoiy aright,
and not merely to distort them for the gratification of his national
piide, will do well to study the differences in comparative prowess
shown in the single-ship fighting of the Americans, British and
French, in 1780, 1798 and 1812 respectively. Eeaders of this
history, on turning to the single-ship contests of the war of the
American Eevolution, will be struck by the fact that the British
ships were then markedly superior to the American ; whereas
the difference between the former and the French was veiy
slight. In 1798, the year in which America had a bn;sh with
France, a great change had taken place. At that time America
had been forced to make reprisals at sea against the French, and
three single-ship contests took place. American ships won twice
against antagonists of inferior strength ; and in a third case an
American frigate fought a draw with a more powerful French
frigate which, some time afterwards, was captui'ed by a British
frigate no stronger than her former American antagonist. Com-
pared with their relative position in the preceding war, the French
had fallen very far behindhand, and, while the British had kept
their position of primacy, the Americans, leaping forward, had
passed the French, and were close behind the leaders. In 1812
the relative positions of the English and French remained un-
changed ; but the Americans had forged still further ahead, and
were better than the British.
Of course, there had been no change of national character or
aptitude for the sea during this period. The simple facts were
that, in the war of the American Eevolution, the American ships
were manned by officers and crews who were without the training
of a regular service ; and so, while occasionally individual ships
did exceedingly well, they often did very badly. The French
navy, on the other hand, was at a high point of perfection, with
excellent ships, and well-trained captains and crews. Throughout
that war, in the single-ship fighting, victory normally lay with
the heavier vessel, whether she was British, Dutch or French. ±
In the war of the French Eevolution all that had changed. The
Eevolution had destroyed the discipline of the French crews and
y.
Spaniard, would scoff at the comparison." (Stai)leton's Correspondence of George
Canning, ii. 450.) See also Lane-Poole's ' Life of Stratford Canning,' i. 302, to show
how completely both sides accepted the fact that there was to be no repetition of the
grievances, in the way of impressment and search, which had caused the war.
1812-15.] THE NEED OF STEADY TRAINING. 179
annihilated the old school of officers ; while the enthusiasm with
which it inspired the men could not at sea, as it did on land, in
any way take the place of the lack of years of thorough training.
On the other hand, the Americans had at last established a regular
war navy, and their ships were officered by men carefullj' trained
to their profession. During the next dozen years the French,
constantly beaten by the British, were unable to develop an
equality of prowess with the latter ; aud the British, accustomed
to almost invariable victory over foes who were their inferiors
alike in gunnery and seamanship, neglected their own gunnery,
and sank into a condition of ignorant confidence that, even with-
out preparation, they could "pull through somehow." The small
American navy meanwhile was trained by years of sea service,
including much scrambling warfare with the Algerines ; and
the American captains, fully aware of the formidable nature of
the foe whom they were to meet, drilled their crews to as near
perfection as might be. In such circumstances, they distinctly
outmatched their average opponents, and could be encountered
on equal terms only by men like Broke and Manners.
The lesson from this is so obvious that it ought not to be
necessary to point it out. There is unquestionably a great differ-
ence in fighting capacity, as there is a great difference in intelli-
gence, between certain races. But there are a number of races,
each of which is intelligent, each of which has the fighting edge.
Among these races, the victory in any contest will go to the
man or the nation that has earned it by thorough pi-eparation.
This preparation was absolutely necessary in the days of sailing
ships ; but the need for it is even greater now, if it be intended to
get full benefit from the delicate and complicated mechanism of
the formidable war engines of the present day. The officers must
spend many years, and the men not a few, in unwearied and
intelligent training, before they are fit to do all that is possible
witli themselves and their weapons. Those who do this, A\hether
they Ije Americans or British, Frenchmen, Germans or liussians,
will win the victory over those who do not.
Doubtless it helps if the sailorinen — the sea mechanics, as they
are now — have the sea habit to start with ; and they must belong
to the fighting stocks. But the great factor is the steady, intel-
ligent training in the actual practice of their profession. Any
man who has had to do with bodies of men of varied race origin
N 2
180 TEE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, 1812-15. [1812-15.
is forced to realise that neither courage nor cowardice is a purely
national peculiarity. In an American warship of the present day,
the crews are ordinarily of mixed race origin, somewhat over half
being American horn ; while among the remainder there are sure
to be Scandinavians, Germans, men from the British Isles, and
probably others, such as French Canadians or Portuguese. But
the petty officers are sure to be drawn from all classes indiscrimi-
nately, simply because merit is not confined to any one class ; and,
among the officers, those whose fathers came from Germany or
Ireland will be found absolutely indistinguishable from their
brethren of old native American origin. The Annapolis educa-
tion and the after-training have stamped the officers, and the
conditions of actual sea-service in modern ships under such
officers have stamped the men, with a common likeness. The
differences of skill, courage, application and readiness will not be
found to coincide with the differences of race.
What is true of the ships of one sea power is as true of
the navies of all sea powers. No education Avill fit ,a coward, a
fool or a weakling for naval life. But, as a rule, the war fleets
of great nations are neither commanded nor manned by cowards,
fools and weaklings ; and, among brave and intelligent men of
different race-stocks, when the day of battle comes, the difference
of race v/ill be found to be as nothing when compared with differ-
ences in thorough and practical training in advance.
( 181 )
CHAPTEE XLII.
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1803-15.
Sir Clements E. Maekham, K.C.B., F.E.S.
Surve3'ing — The office of Hydrograiiher — Dalrymple's successors — Barrow's services at
the Ailiiiiralty — Expedition to the Congo.
T\UEING the nineteenth cen-
-*-^ tiuy the British Navy con-
ferred inestimable benefit on the
whole civilised world l)y dis-
coveries, by surveys, and by the
^^ _^ publication of charts. Discoveiies
^^~~~^^^^i^l9P^^/ came first, then running surveys,
and, finally, the surveys executed
on rigorously accurate principles,
and the resulting charts and sail-
ing directions. This work was
steadily pursued both during peace
and in war time, although the
progress was naturally more rapid
in time of peace.
The need for accurate surveys
was first felt along our own shores ;
and Mr. Murdoch Mackenzie,' succeeding his relation. Professor
Mackenzie, was head Marine Surveyor to the Admiralty from 1771
to 1778. His charts of the coasts of- England were published in
1804. His cousin, Grscme Spence,^ completed a survey of the Scilly
' Murdoch Mackenzie was a Lieut. R.N. of Aug. 5th, 1770, nnd retired witli tlio
rank of Conimander on Jan. Slst, 1814. — W. L. C.
^ Grwme Spence was bound apprentice for seven years, in 177.'!, to Ids cousin, to
learn surveying ; and he remained as assistant to Mackenzie until 1788, whou,
Mackenzie's sight failing, the work of Marine Surveyor fell into Spcuce's hands. He
died in 1812, aged ,>i. Lie was not a cotnniissioucd naval oflicer, thougli :it onn
time he had a Mate and a Midshipninn under him, — W. L. C.
BADGE OV THE MOST UOKOUUAIiLE
ORDER OF THE BATH
(MILITARlf classes).
Warn, by a G.C.B., from n red ribbon mroxs th,
right shoulder ; by a K.C.B., round the neck
bij a C.B.. on the left breant.
182 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1803-1815. [1808.
Islands between 1789 to 1793, and, after retiring from active sea
service, was employed at the Admiralty from 1803 to 1811. Mac-
kenzie and Graeme Spence maj' be looked upon as the fathers of the
modern naval surveying service.
But it was not until August l'2th, 1795, that the Minute was
signed, appointing the first Hydrographer to the Admiralty, with the
duty of collecting and compiling information for the improvement of
navigation. The selection fell upon Alexander Dalrymple,' a retired
Madras civilian, who had been actively engaged for many years in
collecting materials and engraving charts of coasts and ports in the
East Indies, and had been, since 1779, hydrographer to the East
India Company. He had published a valuable work on voyages in
the Pacific, and had even been named, before Captain James Cook,
to command the Transit of Veims expedition. But Dalrymple
devoted his attention to the engraving of the numerous charts
which he had collected, rather than to the supply of the latest
information to ships ; and at last the Admiralty came to the con-
clusion that their Hydrographer should be a naval officer. Dalrymple
was asked to resign. He declined to do so, and was superseded in
1808 by Captain Thomas Hurd.- He died, it is said of a broken
heart, in the same year, when the Admiralty bought his stock of
engraved copper plates, one hundred and thirty in number.
Captain Hurd, the second Hydrographer, held that office for
fifteen years, from 1808 to 1823 ; and he began a system of issuing
regular supplies of charts to the ships on each station. Nor was
active work neglected. In 1811, Captain Francis Beaufort (1), in
the Frederiksteeit, 28, surveyed the coast of Karamania; and William
Henry Smyth, ^ in the face of great difficulties, and at first on his
own, responsibility, made pioneer surveys, between 1813 and 1824,
of the Sicilian coasts, the Adriatic and Ionian Islands, and the
north coast of Africa. Smyth formed a school of surveyors ; and
in the list of officers trained by him are such names as Frederick
William Beechey, Thomas Graves (6), Henry Kaper (2), and
William George Skyring,'' all well known in after years. The
t See Vol. lY. p. 186.
2 Com., 1795 ; Capt., Ap. 29th, 1802 ; died Ap. 30th, 1823.— W. L. C.
3 William Henry Smyth, borD Jan. 21st, 1788 ; Lieut., Mar. 25tli, 1813 ; Com.,
Sept. 18th, 1815; Capt., Feb. 7th, 1821; retired, 1816; retired r.-adm. 1853; retired
v.-adm., 1858 ; retired adm. 1863 ; died Sept. 9th, 1865.— W. L. C.
* Com., Feb. 25th, 1830. Murdered wliile in com. of ^tiui by natives near Cape
Ruxo, Dec. 23rd, 1833.
1814.] KXPLORATWX OF THE CONOO. 183
coasts of the British Isles were also re-surveyed under the auspices
of Captain Hurd.
Mr. John Barrow became permanent Secretary to the Admiralty
in 1804. He was out of office during the Grenville administration,
but was i-einstated in 1807, and held office contiuuouslj' from that
time until 1845, a period of thirty-eight years. He was a steady
supporter of the surveys, and an ardent promoter of expeditions
for discovery alike in the frigid and in the torrid zones ; while his
influence and persistence usually prevailed against indifference aud
ignorance in high quarters.
It was owing to Barrow's initiative, aided by the influence of Sir
Joseph Banks, that it was resolved, in August, 1814, before the war
was over, to equip an expedition to explore the lower reaches of the
River Congo. The command was entrusted to an officer who had
served in the East Indies and Australia, and had done good surveying
work, l)Ut who had been a prisoner in France for nine 5'ears. Com-
mander James Hingston Tuckey, this accomplished and most ami-
able man, commissioned the schooner Congo on September '28th,
1815, and sailed in company with a transport, the Dorotliij. The
expedition consisted of forty-nine officers and men, and four scientific
civilians, and in Jul)', 1815, it reached the mouth of the Congo.
The exploring party, led by Commander Tuckey, went up the river
for 150 miles in boats, ^ then marched round the Yellala rapids by
land, and reached the wide stream above, altogether 280 miles. But
in those days the sanitary precautions necessary in a deadly climate
were not well understood. Commander Tuckey - and five of his
officers ^ died of fever, and the Master brought the schooner home
with the sm-vivnrs.' This disaster seems to have checked African
exploratory work for a time ; and soon, as will be seen later, the
attention of the Lords of the Admiralty was turned, by their
Secretary, to polar discovery.
' III this e.xijeditiou sleaiiiboats were used. — W. L. C.
= Com. Tuckey died ou Oct. 4tli, 181(5.— W. L. C.
" Including Lieut. Jolui Hawkey (Lieut, of May 5th, 180-1).— W. L. C.
' ticc ' Nav. Chrou," xxxiv. 2H!i, 317, .349, 514 ; xxxvi. 57 ; xxxvii. 80.— \V. L. C.
184
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL KAVY, 18in-l850.
CHAPTEE XLIII.
CIVIL HISTORY OP THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Administrative officers of the Navy — Administrative reforms under Sir James Graham
— Admiralty buildings — Naval expenditure — Seamen, Boys, and Koyal Marines
voted — Improvements in naval architecture — Typical sailing-ships of the period — ■
The introduction of steam — Engineers — Pa<ldle-st earners — Iron steamers — Screw-
steamers — T3'pical steamships uf the ]ieriod — The beginnings of armour — Arma-
ment of t3'pical ships of the period — Varieties of guns — The beginning of rifled
guns and breechloaders — Rockets — Small-arms — Revolvers — Engines — Training in
gunnery — The Royal Naval College — The personnel — Unemployed officers — Pro-
motion and retirement — Excessive age of officers — Superannuation — The Roj'al
Marines — Continuous service men — Scarcity of seamen — Rum — The Navy List —
Miscellaneous innovations — Uniform — Beards and moustaches — Seamen's clothing
— Excentric costumes — Medals — The Victoria Cross — The honour of the Flag —
Flogging — Excentric punishments — A happy commission — Ladies on board shiji —
Reduction of the rum allowance — The dining hour — Excentric characters — A
naval bishop— Mast-heading.
rpHE succession of the more important
administrative officers of the Navy
during the period 1816-1856 -was as
follows : —
STAB OF h G.C.B.
FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.'
Robert, Viscount Melville (till 1827).
LORD HIGH ADMIRAL.
May 2, 1827. HR.H. Prince AVilliam Henry, Duke
of Clarence, Admiral of the Fleet, General of
Boyal Marines, K.G., K.T., G.C.B., G.C.H., etc.
' For convenience of reference, the names of the Prime Ministers from 1815 to 185U
inclusive, with the dates of their accession to office, are appended : June 9, 1812, Earl
of Liverpool : Apr. 2-t, 1827, George Canning ; Sept. 5, 1827, "Viscount Goderich ;
Jan. 25, 1828, Duke of Wellington; Nov. 22, 1830, Earl Grey; July 18, 1834,
Viscount Melbourne; Dec. 26, 1834, Sir Robert Peel; Apr. 18, 1835, Viscount
Melbourne; Sept. 6, 1841, Sir Robert Peel; July 6, 1846, Lord John Russell;
Feb. 27, 1852, Earl of Derby ; Dec. 28, 1852, Earl of Aberdeen ; Feb. 10, 1855, Lord
Palmerston.
ADMIIIALTY OFFICIALS.
185
FllWT LUKD OF 'rill-: AD.MilLVLTY (revived).
Sept. 19, 1828. Robert, Viscount Melville, K.T.
Nov. 25, 1830. Rt. Hon. Sir James Kobert George Graham, Bart., M.P.
June 11, 18o-l. George, Baron Auckland.
Sept. 19, 1835. Gilbert, Earl of Minto, G.C.B.
Sept. 8, 1841. Thomas, Earl of Haddington.
Jan. 13, 1840. Edward, Earl of Ellenborough, G.C.B.
July 13, 184G. George, Earl of Auckland, G.C.B.
Jan. 18, 184'J. Rt. Hon. Sir Francis T. Baring, Bart., Jl.P.
Mar. 2, 1852. Algernon, Duke of Northumberland, Kear-Adm.
Jan. 5, 1853. Rt. Hon. Sir James Robert George Graham, Bart., 51. P.
Mar. 8, 1855. Rt. Hon. Sir Cliarles Wood, Bart., ;M.P.
SECRETARIES OF THE ADMIRALTY.
First Secretary.
Rt. Hon. John Wilson
Croker, M.P.
Nov. 2!», 1830. Hon. George Elliot (3),
Capt., R.N. (C.B., 1831).
Dec. 24, 1834. Rt. Hon. George R. Daw-
son.
Apr. 27, 1835. Charles Wood, JI.P.
Oct. 4, 1839. K. More O'Ferrall, M.P.
June 9, 1841. John Parker, M.P.
Sept. 10, 1841. Hon. Sidnt'V Herbert, M.P.
Feb. 1845. Rt. Hon. H. T. Lov
Corry, M.P.
July 13, 1846. Henry G. Ward, ]«.P.
May 21, 1849. .John" Parker, JI.P.
Mar. 3, 1852. Augustus Stafl'ord, M.P.
Jan. (;, 1853. K. Bernal Osborne, M.P,
ry
Second Secretary.
Jan. 28, 1845.
May 22, 1855.
John Barrow (Bart. 1835).
William Alexander Baillie
Hamilton, Capt, R.N.
Thomas Phinn.
Treasurer of the Navy.
Rt. Hon. George Rose,
M.P.
Feb. 12, 1818. Rt. Hon. Frederick John
Robinson (Visct. Gode-
rich, 1827 ; Earl of
Ripon, 1833).
Feb. 28, 1823. Rt. Hou. William Huskis-
son.
Sept. 10, 1827. Rt. Hon. Charles Grant
(afterwards Lord Glen-
elg).
Feb. 25, 1828. l!t. Hon. \V. F. Vcsey
Fiti!gerald, F.R.S.(aftor-
wards Lord Fitzgerald
and Vesey).
Feb. 25, 1830. Rt. Hon. Thomas Fraidj-
land Lewis, F.K.S.
Dec. 1.), 1830. Kt. Hon. Charles Poulet
Thompson (afterwards
Lord Sydenham).
Dec. 27, 1834. Rt. Hon. William, Vis-
count Lowther (after-
wards Earl of Lons-
dale).
Apr. 22, 1835. Rt. Hon. Sir Henry B.
Parnell, Bart, (after-
wards Lord Congleton).
Sir Henry Parnell's salary as Treasurer
ceased on Sept 30, 1835, and he after-
wards became Paymaster-General.
The Navy Pay Office was abolisiied
in .January, 183(3.
COKTROI.LEII OK THE NaVY.
Sir Thomas Boulden
Thompson, Bart., Vice-
Adm.
Feb. 9, 1810. Sir Thomas Byam Martin,
Kt., K.C.B., Rear-Adm.
(Vice - Adm., 1819 ;
G.C.B. and Adm. 1830).
186
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Nov. L', 1831. Hou. George Heneage
Lawrence Dundas, C.B.,
Rear-Adni.'
Deputy Coxtroller of the Xavv.
William Shield, Capt. R.X.
Dec. 1, 1815. Sir Thoujas Byam Martiu,
Kt., K.C.B.' {fill 1816).
Mar. 13, 182"i. Hon. Henry Legge.
Oct. 21, 1830. Hon. Robert Dundas.^
Patent revoked, June 9, 1832.
SCRVEYORS OK THE NaVY.
Sir Robert Seppings, Kt.
June y, 1832. William Symonds, Capt.,
R.X. (Kt., 1836; F.R.S.,
1835 ; C.B., 18-18).2
Feb. 5,1818. Sir Baldwin Wake Walker,
K.C.B., Capt. R.X.
(Rear-Adm. 1858) till
1860, when he icas
made Coiifyoller of the
Xavij.
Chiek Assistant axd Drauuhtsmax
TO the Surveyors.
{Office created by 0. in C. of
June IT, 1839.)
July 1, 1839. -John Edye.
Chief Constructor.
May -i, 1848. Isaac Watts.
Commissiosebs without special
funxtions.
Feb. 9, 1816. James Bowen (I), Capt.,
R.X.
Jan. 13, 1819. Hon. Granville Anson
Chetwynd Stapylton.
June 11, 1823. Hon. Courtenay Boyle,
Capt., R.X.
Feb. 3, 1825. Hon. Robert Dundas.
Apr. 13, 182(i. ,Jobn Jlason Lewis, Capt.,
R.X.>
('haIRMAN of the C05I.MISSI0XERS OF
ViCTUALLISG.
John Clarke Searle, Capt.,
R.X.
Mar. 1822. Hon. Granville Anson
Chetw\-nd Stapylton,
Col. (afterwards Maj.-
Genl.).i
Superintendent of Transports.
iMar. 1829. Hon. Courtenay Boyle,
Capt., R.X.
Controller of the A'ictualling - (and
OF the Transport Service).
June 9, 1832. James Meek.
Dec. 18, 18.50. Thomas T. Grant, F.R.S.
Storekeeper-General.
May 8, 1829. Robert Gambier Middle-
ton, Capt., R.X.
June 9, 1832. Hon. Robert Dundas.''
Accountant-General of the Xavy.
May 8, 1829. John Deas Tliomson,
F.R.S. (till July, 1829).
June 9, 1832. Sir John Thomas Briggs,
Kt.-
Feb. 20, 1854. Sir Richard Madox Brom-
ley, K.C.B.
Physician-General of the Xavy.^
June 9, 1832. Sir William Burnett,
M.D.
Title chaiKjed on Jan. 25, 1841, to
Inspector-General of Naval
Hospitals and Fleets.
.Tan. 28, 1841. Sir AVilliam Burnett,
M.P.
1 By 2 Will. IX., cap. 40 (June 1, 1832) the Xavy and Mctualling Boards, and the
offices of Commissioners of the Navy and Victualling, and Controller of the Navy were
abolished ; and instead, five " Principal Officers " were appointed, viz. : Surveyor of the
Navy, Accountant-General of the Navy, Storekeeper-General, Controller of Victualling,
and Physician-General. To these departmental officers others were subsequently
added. The office of Controller of the X'avy remained in abeyance from June 9, 1833,
until 1800, when it was revived.
- Office established by 2 Will. IV., cap. 40.
ADMiHAL r y officials.
18'/
TitJe changed oil Jim. 1, 1844, to
DlRKt TOR-GeKERAI. (IK TIIK MkDIUAI.
Dept. of the Xavy.
Jan. 1,18-44. Sii- William Buniett,M.D.,
K.C.B., U.X.
Apr. m, 1855. Sir John Liddell, M.D.,
F.R.S., R.X.
COM.MISSIOKERS (aXI), I'R(I.M 1832, iiCPER-
rSTEXDENTs) Of H.M. DOCKYARDS, ETC.
Chuthdm.
Sir Robert Barlow, Kt.,
K.C.B., Capt., R.X.
Apr. 1, 182.3. Charles Cunningham,
Capt., ll.X. {till M'ly 5,
1829).
May '.I, 1829. John Mason Lewis, Capt.,
R.X. (resident at Sheer-
ness).
Dee. )831. Charles BuUen.C.B., Capt.,
K.X.
June 9, 1832. Sir James Alexander Gor-
don (1), K.C.B., Capt.,
R.X. (Hear-Adm. 1837).
Also of Sheeruess Yd.
Apr. 7, 1837. .John Clavell, Capt., R.X.
Aug. 24, 1841. William Henry Shirreff,
Capt., R.X." Also of
Dept ford Yd.
Sept. 20, 184G. Sir Thomas Bourchier,
K.C.B., Capt., R.X.
May .5,1849. Peter Richards,C.B.,Caiit.,
R.X.
June IJ, 1S54. Christojiher Wvvill, Capt.,
R.X.
Mar. 23, 1850. George Goldsmith, C.B.,
Capt., R.X.
Portsinoiitli.
Hon. Sir George Grey,
Bart., K.C.B., Capt.,
K.X.
Jan. 14, 1S29. Sir Michael Seymour,
K.C.B., Capt., R.X.
June 28, 1832. Sir Fiedcrick Lewis Mait-
land (2), K.C.B., Rear-
Adm.
July 20, 1837. Hon. Duncombe I'leydcU
Bouverie, Rear-Adm.
Aug. -4, 1842. Hyde Parker, C.B., Rear-
Adm.
Sept. 27, IS47. William Henry ShirrelV,
l!ear-Adm.
Dec. 15, 1847. Henry Prescott.C.B., Rear-
Adm.
Oct. 1, 1852. Arthur Panshawe, G.B.,
Rear-Adm.
Dec. 2, 1853. William Fanshawe >Lir-
tin, Rear-Adm.
Plymouth (from 1851 Devotqyort).
Robert Fanshawe, Capt.,
R.X.
Dec. 12, 1815 William Shield, Capt.,
R.X.
JLay 21, 1829. Charles Bayne Hodgson
Ross, C.B., Capt., R.X.
(Rear-Adm. Jan. 10,
1837).
Apr. 1, 1837. Frederick Warren, Rear-
Adm. (Vice-Adm. Xov.
23, 1841).
Dec. 10, 1841. Sir Samuel Pym, K.C.B.,
Rear-Adm.
Dec. 17,1840. Sir John Louis, Bart., C.B.,
Rear-Adm. (Vice- Adni.,
Oct, 9, 1849).
Feb. it, 1850. Lord John Hay, C.B.,
Commodore, 1st Class,
(Rear-Adm. 1851).
Sept. 8, 1851. Michael Seymoiu- ( 2 ),
Commodore, 1st Class
(Rear-Adm., May 27,
185-4).
During his absence as Cap-
tain of the Fhet in the
Baltic, there were tem-
porarily appointed :
Rear-Adm. Hon. Mon-
tagu Stopford, Mar. 28,
185-4, and Rear-Adm.
Henry Eden, Aug. 8,
1854."
Sheerness.
Hon. Courfenay Boyle,
Capt., R.X. (/i7/ Feh. 1,
1822).
From Feb. 1822 to May
1829 there was no J!<si-
dent Commisnioner at
Shetrncss ; and from
1822 to 1834 the Yard
seems to hace been saper-
^ intendedbythe Chatham
Commissioner. See
uiiiler Chatham.
188
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
June 24, 1834. Thomas Fortescue Ken-
nedy, Capt., K.N.
Mar. 9, 1838. Sir John Hill, Kt., Capt.,
E.N.
Dec. 11, 1841. Sir Watkin Oweu Pell,
Kt., K.C.H., Capt.,
n.x.
Dec. 17, 1841. Peter Fisher (1), Capt,
E.N. (died Aug. 28,
1844).
Sept. 23, 1844. Richard Arthur, C.B.,
Capt., R.N.
Nov. 10, 1846. David Price, Capt., R.N.
Nov. 14, 1850. Michael Seymour ( 2 ),
Capt., E.N.
Sept. 29, 1851. Charles Hoi^e, Capt., E.N.
Apr. 3, 1854. Christopher Wvvill, Capt.,
R.N.
Juue 10, 1854. John Jervis Tucker, Capt.,
R.N.
Gihraltar.
Isaac Wolley, Capt., K.N.
{tin.lan.\ 1818).
June 21, 1821. M. B. Mends, E.N. (N.O.
in Charge).
Oct. 26, 1829. John Slight, E.N. (N.O.
in Charge).
Apr. 1, 1833. John Davidson (Clerk in
Charge : died Aug. 18,
1842).
Dec. 17, 1842. Sir John Gordon Sinclair,
Bart., Capt., R.N. (N.O.
in Charge).
Oct. 16, 1846. Hon. George Grey (2),
Capt., E.N.
Dec. 13, 1856. Frederick Warden, C.B.,
Capt., E.N.
M<tUa.
.Joseph Larcoiu, Capt.,
E.N.
Jan. 10, 1818. Isaac Wolley, Capt., R.N.
June 11, 1823. Jolm Mason Lewis, Capt.,
E.N. .
Dec. 15, 1825. Charles Bayne Hodgson
Ross, C.b!, Capt., E.N.
Nov. 4, 1828. Sir Michael Seymour (1),
K.C.B., Capt., R.N.
Mar. 13, 1829. Thomas Briggs, Capt.,
R.N. (Rear-Adm., .June
27, 1832 ; G.C.M.G.,
1833).
Jan. 6, 1838. Sir John Louis, Bart.,
Commodore (Rear- Ad m.
June 28, 1838).
Mar. 8, 1813. Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart.,
C.B., Eear-Adm.
Jlar. 9, 1848. Edward Harvey, Rear-
Adm.
Apr. 13, 1853. Houston Stewart (1), C.B.,
Eear-Adm.
Jan. 18, 1855. Hon. Sir Montagu Stup-
ford,K.C.B., Rear-Adm.
Halifax.
Hon. Philip AVodehouse,
Capt., E.N. {till Aug.
12, 1819).
On Jul;/ 11, 1832, a Naval
Storekeeper and Agent
Vidiialler was apjiointed
to EaJifax.
IJydrographer.
Thomas Hurd, Cajit., R.N.
Dec. 1, 1823. William Edward Parry,
F.R.S., Capt., E.N.
(actg. till Nov. 22, 1825,
when he was confirmed),
(Kt. 1829).
May 14, 1829. Francis Beaufort, F.E.S.,
Capt., E.N. (Rear-Adm.
on Oct. 1, 1846, and
later K.C.B.).
Jan. 29, 1855. John Washington, Capt.,
E.N.
COXTKOLLER OF StE.\M MACHINERY, .^ND
THE Packet Service.
{Office created by O. in C. of
Apr. 19, 1837.)
Apr. 24, 1837. Sir AVilliam Edward Parry,
Capt., E.N.
Dec. 2, 1846. Alexander Ellice, Capt.,
E.N.
Chief Esgineer, axd Inspector of
Steam M.\cuineky.
Apr. 6, 1847. Thomas Lloyd, till 1869.
Title abulished, Feb. 4, 1869.
ADMIUALTY IIKFOHM. 189
It may be said, speaking generally, that, with slight changes, the
business of the Navy continued, until 1832, to be conducted as it
had been conducted during the latter part of the long French wars ;
and that in 1832, owing mainly to the reforming and constructive
energy of Sir James Graham and his assistants at the Admiralty,
the existing S}'stem of administration was introduced. This system
has since been considerablj* amplified and altered to suit new con-
ditions as they have arisen. Fresh offices and departments have
been created from time to time, but few modifications of anj' far-
reaching character were adopted between 1832 and 1856. The
nature of some of Sir James's reforms will be gathered from a studj'
of the above lists, and of the footnotes accompanying them. By
way, however, of additional explanation of what was done in 1832,
Sir Richard Yesey Hamilton ' may be quoted.
" When," he says, " Lord Grey took office in 1830, and Sir James Graham wa;-
appointed First Lord, it was anticipated that the reforms advocated by Earl St. Vincent
would at length be carried into efi'ect. Various Boards of Admiralty had debated
whether the subsidiary Commissioners might not with advantage be merged in the
Navy Board. But this was not enough for the new Cabinet. It was determined to do
away with all divided control, and, abolishing the Board of Principal Officers and
Commissioners of the Navy, and the Commissioners for Victualling, and for the Care
of Sick and Wounded Seamen, to concentrate the whole of the civil departments uuder
the Admiralty itself, each branch having an individual at its head. Sir James Graham
did not mature his measures without full and anxious inquiry into the organisation and
working both of the civil departments and of the dockyards under them, and he had
the great advantage of the counsel and assistance of Sir John Barrow, whose lung and
ripe knowledge of our naval administration, then for nearly thirty years — as Second
Secretary and Secretary of the Admiralty — jjeculiarly fitted him to advise. The ' Act
to amend the Laws relating to the Business of the Civil Departments of the Navy, and
to make other Regulations for more effectually carrying on the Duties of the said
Departments ' (2 Will. IV. c. 40) — vesting in the Board of Admiralty the powers of the
Commissioner.s of the Civil Departments — provided, in place of the numerous Con-
trollers and Commissioners of the Navy, of Victualling, and of Transjwrts — then
located at Somerset House — for the creation of five separate and independent superin-
tendents of departments, under the Board of Admiralty collectively, and the Lords of
the Admiralty individually. These new officials were the Surveyor of the Navy,
the Accountant-Genoral, the Storekeeper-General, the Controller of Victualling and
Transports, and the Physician of the Navy, whose title was altered in 1811 to that of
Director-General of the Medical Dc-partment of tho Navy.
"By the dispositions thus taken, the Board of Admiralty and tho subsidiary
departments acquired the united and fie.\iblo character they have to-day, that character
which they possessed before tho civil departments had attained their magnitude and
semi-independence, and were yet closely in touch with the Admiralty, holding tho
means — when they f.\ercised them — of controlling and sujiervising tho business for
which they were respousijjle. Once again that close organisation for discussion of the
conduct of atVaiis, which fall often under the care of several branches of the admiuis-
' 'Nav. Admin.,' 21.
100
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
ti-ative machinery, had been buih up. Great as was the advantage thus won, the
reorganisation brought a further gain in the considerable ecouomy that was effected
through the abolition of sinecures and redundant posts, which the existence of a com-
plex set of individual branches had involved. Sir John Briggs, Accoimtant-General of
the Navy, prepared, in June, 1834, a statement of the reductions that had been effected
in the naval dejiartments since November, 1830, from which it appears that an economy
of £253,342 had been made. But the merit of the reorganisation effected by Sir James
Graham is not to be estimated by the pecuniary saving it made possible, but liy the
fact that it struck at the root of abuses of long and slow growth which endangered our
naval efficiency. Sir John Barrow, writing in 1847, said of the new system : ' (-'n the
whole, I can venture to say with great confidence, and after the experience of fifteen
years since the plan was put in operation, under half-a-dozen Boards of Admiralty,
AVhig and Tory, that it has been completely successful in all its parts : and the proof of
it is that no fault has been found with it, nor has any alteration of the least importance
been required.' " '
About the year 1780, the offices of the civil departments of the
Navy had been concentrated in Somerset House, where the Victual-
ling, Navy Pay, and Transport branches were lodged on the west
side. On the west terrace were the official residences of the
Treasurer and Surveyor of the Navy, of the three Commissioners
of the Navy Board, and of the principal officers of the A'ictualling
Department. The homes of the civil departments of the Navy were
successively removed thence to Whitehall and Spring Gardens, the
Surveyor's Department in 1855, and all the rest by 1870.
The expenditure on the Navy, and the numbers of seamen and
Eoyal Marines voted each vear from 1816 to 1856, were as follows : — ■
Year.
Total Naval
Seameu autl Boys
Koval Marines
Total >'umbers
Total Numbers
Supplies granted.
voted.
vote.l.
voted.
actually borne.
1816
13,114,345
24,000
9,000
33,000
35,196
1817
7,645,422
13,000
(i.OOO
19,000
22,944
1818
6,547,809
14,000
6,000
20,000
23,026
1819
6,527,781
14,000
6,000
20,000
23,230
1820
6,691,345
15,000
8,000
23,000
23,985
1821
6,391,902
14,000
8,000
22,000
24,937
1822
6,480,325
13,000
8,000
21,000
23,806
1823
5,442,540
16,000
8,700
24,700
26,314
1824
5,762,893
20,000
9,000
29,000
30,502
1825
5,983,126
20,000
9,000
29,000
31,456
1826
6,135,004
21,000
9,000
30,000
32,519
1827
6,125,850
21,000
9,000
30,000
33,106
1828
6,395,965
21,000
9,000
30,000
31,818
1829
5,878,794
21,000
9,000
30,000
32,458
1830
5,594,955
20.000
9,000
29,000
31,160
1831 >
7,221,797
22,000
10,000
32,000
29,336
1832 2
5,045,827
18,000
9,000
27,000
27,328
' 15 months, to March 3l6t, 1832. - April 1st to March 31st of next year.
' ' Autob. Mem.', 424.
IMPnOrEMENTS IX NAVAL AIlCHITECTUnE.
191
Yor.
Total Saval
Seameu and Buys
Royal 5larincs
Total Xnmbere
Total Sumlwts
Supplies granted.
voted.
voted.
voted.
actually Iwme.
1833
4,803,647
18,000
9,000
27,000
27,701
1834
4,716,894
18,. 500
9,000
27,500
28,066
1835
4,434,783
17,. 500
9,000
26,500
26,041
1836
4,689,651
24,700
9,000
33,700
30,195
1837
4,930,736
25,165
9,000
34,165
31,289
1838
4,960,911
25,165
9,000
34,165
32,028
1839
5,532,724
(
25,165
26,165 (2 mos.)
9,000
) (
34,165
35,165 (2 mos.)
34,857
)
1840
6,182,247
28,165 (7 mos.)
30,665 (3 mos.)
9,000 1
37,165 (7 mos.)
39,665 (3 mos.)
[ 37,665
1841
6,772,969
32,, 500
10,500
43,000
41,389
1842
7,000,442
32,500
10,500
43,000
43,105
1843
6,579,960
28,500
10,500
39,000
40,229
1844
6,466,019
25,500
10,500
36,000
38,343
1845
7,344,363
29,500
10,500
40,000
40,084
1846
7,920,324
29,500
10,500
40,000
43,314
1847
8,068,985
29,500 1
11,000(6 mos.)
12,000(6 mos.)
40,.500(6mos.)
41,500 (6 mos.)
} 44,969
1848
7,955,001
29,500 1
12 , 5oO (6 mos.)
13,. 500 (6 mos-)
42,000 (6 mos.)
43,000 (6 mos.)
1 43,978
1849
7,021,724
28,000
12,000
40,000
39,535
1850
6,672,588
28,000
11,000
39,000
39,093
1851
6,543,255
28,000
11,000
39,000
38,957
1852
6,705,746
28,000 (8 mos.)
33,000(4 mos.)
11,000 (8 mos.)
12,500 (4 mos.)
39,000 (8 mos.)
45,500 (4 mos.)
\ 40,451
1853
7,197,804
33,000
12,. 500
45,. 500
45,885
1854
15,017,591
4 8, Olio
15,500
63,500
61,457
1855
19,590,833
5 1,(100
1(;,000
70,000
*;7.791
From 1832 onwards the financial year was computed in Calendar instead of in Lunar
months, and hegan on April 1st, lasting till March 31st of the following year.
During the wars with France and her aUies, and with the United
States, the chief British improvements in naval architecture were
copied from the best of the prizes taken from the enemy, and, for
many years after the peace, this plan was still largely followed.
Thus, as late as 184.5, there was laid down at Devonport a Sans-
parcll designed upon the lines of the ship of the same name captm-ed
from the French in 1794 ; although, it is true, the vessel was never
actually launched as a sailing iinc-of-battle ship, but, while yet upon
the stocks, was lengthened, converted to a screw ship of 80 guns,
and launched as such in 1851. Modifications were, however, intro-
duced by Sir Kobert Seppings, who was responsible for building
large ships with circular or elliptical, instead of square sterns,
thereby giving them increased strength and additional stern (ire ;
and in 1882 Sir Kobert was succeeded as Surveyor by an officer
who was not content to be, in any sense, an imitator, and who was
really a great naval architect. This was Captain Sir William
192
CIVIL IIISTOIiY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Symonds, Kt., E.N. In 1825, Symonds, then a Commander, was
permitted by the Admiralty to construct a corvette npon his own
Hnes. The Columbine, IS, was so great a success as to earn
Symonds his promotion in 1827. Nevertheless, no further progress
might have been then made had not the Duke of Portland given
Symonds orders to build him a yacht. This craft, the Pantaloon,
was presently purchased by the Admiraltj', and, being adapted as a
10-gun brig, did so extremely well that her designer was at once
employed to construct the Vernon, 50, Vested, 26, Snake, 16, and
CIECULAK STEKN OF H.M.S. 'ASIA," Hi, BUILT AT BuMBAY, 1821.
FLAGSHIP AT NAVABIKO.
{Froitl an ett'liitifj by E. W. Cooke, H.A.)
other men-of-war of various classes, and was quickly made Surveyor.
In that capacity, he ))uilt, in the ensuing fifteen years, no fewer than
180 vessels. His ships owed their superior speed and stability chiefly
to the improved form of their bottom, which he made much less
heavy and full than had previously been usual. They were also
broader, roomier, and loftier between decks than their forerunners,
and in them the sailing Navy of England undoubtedly found its
highest development. Among Symonds's greatest triumphs were
the Queen, 110, Vernon, 50, and Pique, 40. The solidity of his
TYPICAL SAILIXG MF.X-OF-WAIl.
19J
methods of construction was amply demonstrated by the last-named,
which, on her first commission, while retm-ning from Canada in
1835, under Captain the Hon. Henry John Rous, took the rocks
near Point Forteau, Labrador, and ground away all her false keel,'
and much of the outer skin of her bottom. Although she bumped
heavily for eleven hours in a violent sea, and afterwards made from
14 to 36 inches of water an hour, she found her way home unaided,
in spite of terrible weather ; and, in twenty-one days, she reached St.
Helens." It is noteworthy that, during his period of office, not one
of his vessels foundered, though several craft by other architects
were less fortunate. Symonds also introduced a system under which
the masts, yards, cross-trees, etc., of men-of-war were classified into
twenty "establishments" or sizes, instead of into eighty-eight, as
before ; and which was so arranged that the spars became inter-
changeable, not only as between ship and ship of the same class, but
also — though, of course, for different pui-poses — as between ship and
ship of different classes. Particulars of a few of the most famous
sailing men-of-war ^ of the time are given below.
' lli-T I'alsu kut'l WHS oji a [principle iiitrocluucJ by Mr. Oliver Liiu^.
^ CM. Sept. 2;ind, 18.'i5. Naut. May., iv. G91, 755. Sec also nioilel in Nnv. Mils,
at Grccnwicli, sluiwiog slate of ship when ihjckeil.
^ >ro(leIs of all these are at Greenwich.
VOL. VI. 0
194
CIVIL HISTORY OB' THE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Yet, even ere Symonds and his assistants had begun to introduce
the improvements which brought the saihng man-of-war to the
highest pitch of perfection, the saihng man-of-war was doomed.
Steam, as a means of propulsion for ships, was used for a consider-
able period before the Admiralt}' became willing to try its merits.
At length, however, the famous engineer Marc Isambard Brunei
persuaded their Lordships that their conservatism must give way,
and that the use of steam must be countenanced in the Navy. In
consequence, the Comet, a paddle wooden steamer of 238 tons and
90 H.P. nominal, was built at Deptford in 18'2'2 ; and presently the
somewhat similar vessel Monkey, of 212 tons and 80 H.P. nominal
;:w; ^£sti:
H.M.S. 'retribution,' 10 GnSS, 1641 TOKS (b.m.), 400 H.P. SOM.
LAUNCHED AT CHATHAM, 1844 ; SOLD, 1864.
(Built of wood, after designs bij Sir W. Si/monds : length, 220 ft. : beam, 40 ft. 6 in. : depth, 26 //. 4 in.)
(373 I.H.P.), which had been built at Eotherhithe in 1821, was
purchased for the use of the service. These, and other early steam
craft, were either tugs, or what would now be called special service
vessels ; and the Admiralty, although it adopted them, did so half-
heartedly, and with a bad grace, their construction not coming
within the province of the Surveyor of the Navy, the design and
building of them being left to contractors, and there being no regular
corps of engineer officers to manage them. In fact, for some years,
the builders were expected to hand over with the vessels the neces-
sary engine-room staff; and, for a time, not so much as the names of
the despised novelties appeared in the official Navy List.
IRON STEAMSHIPS.
195
But the new power soon forced itself into fuller recognition. In
1832, the Surveyor designed his earliest steamers.' Until after 1840,
however, few of these were of more than 1000 tons measurement, or
of very heavy armament, and all were huilt of wood, and had paddles
as their propellers.
In the meantime, although the Admiralty, as always, was not in
the van of the advance, further progress had been made. Iron
lighters were built in England in the first j'ears of the nineteenth
century: the first iron steamboat was completed in ]821: as early
as 1833, an iron steamboat suitable for sea service was in existence :
H.M.S. ' TlillRlliLE,' 'AO (JirSS, 1847 TOKS (U.M.}, 800 11.1'. SOM.
LAUNCHED AT DEPTFORD, 184.').
(Built of wood, after dishim l"J J/r. Olli-cr Ltmg : Irihjth, •iliift. : beam, i2fl. 0 In : di-pth, 27 .'/.
Engines by MaudHlivj it Co.)
in 1838, an iron steamijoat crossed the Atlantic, though she crossed
it under sail : and in 1839, Messrs. Lainl, of Birkenhead began to
build iron steam warships for the East India Company. One of
these, the Nemesis, of GOO tons, was armed with two 3'2-pr. pivot
' The Xaulicitl Magazine of June, 1833, says: "A liigh-presgure steam-engine,
with an improved bi41er, by Mr. George Mills, of London, i« now fitting for trial on
board the Falcon, au old 10-gun brig, in tliu basin at Sheerness. In this engine the
steam is raised by lire-tubes passing through the boiler, which is surrounded at a slight
distance by a dtiuble cylinder, filled with cold water, serving as a surface condenser.
The boiler will boar a pressure nf at least 150 lbs. on the square inch. . . . The Falcon
is fitted with two engines of 50 horsc-i)uwer each." I cannot find any account nf the
trials. 'J'ho boiler was, however, not adopted.
,1 o
196 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
guns ; and, although she drew but five feet of water, she made the
passage to India by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and subse-
quently, under the orders of Captain William Hutcheon Hall, R.N.,
rendered excellent service in China during the operations of 1841-42.
The Admiralty, however, did not possess an iron steamer of any sort
until 1840, when the paddle packet Dover was launched for it at
Birkenhead. In the same year it acquired three small iron paddle
gunboats ; but it hesitated for many years ere it made up its mind
that, for large craft as well as for small, iron was a trust worth j'
material. As early, nevertheless, as 1836, Mr. John Laird had pro-
posed to construct an iron frigate, and had prepared plans for it ;
and in 1842 he actually launched an iron paddle frigate, which he
offered in vain to the Government, and which he eventually sold to
Mexico. At length, in 1846, the ill-fated Birkenhead was launched
at Birkenhead for the Admiralty, and, in 1849, Napier, of Glasgow,
followed with the Simoon, and Fairbairn, of Millwall, with the
Megara. All these were originally classed as steam frigates, and
ai-med as such ; but experiments ^ made upon an iron vessel called
the Buhij induced the authorities to fear that such craft would be
torn to pieces by the effects of shot ; and the ships were consequently
transformed into transports, and their armaments greatly reduced.
The Birhenliead, of 1400 tons, was fitted with paddles ; the Simoon,
and Megcera had screws.
The origin of the screw, as a means of propulsion for ships, is.
wrapped in some obscurity. Early in the century, one Dr. Shorter
devised a plan for driving vessels through the water bj- means of a
cix-cular fan, but does not seem to have thought of working his
propeller by steam. In 1834, Mr. (afterwards Sir) Francis Pettitt
Smith, a Hendon farmer, son of the postmaster of Hythe, con-
structed a model which was propelled through the water by means
of a submerged screw. In 1836 he took out a patent for his inven-
tion, and in 1838 he submitted his plans to the Admiralty. By that
time he had associated himself with the great Swedish engineer,
John Ericsson ; and the screw was applied to several small experi-
mental craft, one of which, though only 45 feet long and 8 feet
broad, towed a barque of 630 tons against a strong tide at a speed of
nearly 4".5 knots, and later towed the Admiralty barge, with their
Lordships on board, from Somerset House to Blackwall, and back, at
an average speed of about 10 knots. Yet their Lordships, who in-
' Xaul. Maij., Sejit. 1«46, p. 498.
77/A' INTHODUCTIOy OF THE SCREW. 197
eluded Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Adam, Eear-Adiniral Sir William
Parker {•!), and Captain Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, curtly
" declined to entertain the project " of fitting screws to naval vessels,
apparently under the delusion tluit the screw was useful only in
smooth water. But the performances of the Archimedes,^ a vessel
which, fitted with Smith's screw, made the tour of Great Britain,
and steamed to Oporto, Amsterdam, and other places, caused the
Admiralty to reconsider its decision. In 184-2, there had been laid
down for the Navy at Sheerness a sloop which was originally named
the Ardent. She was ordered to be lengthened aft, to be fitted with
■ >
1
-f-r^
I
'l
K
&
* J.
w
.-w
7 -m
>
*
Z^
sri:i',\\ crsifs i-Ai'in.r.
[The trial between H.M.SS. Itiittlir imd Akctu.)
(From 'Li IlMsta ^rarUlima:)
a screw, and to be renamed Battler; and she was launclied in .\\n-\\.
1843. Her after part was of a form very unsuited to assist the work
of the propeller, yet she was so much of a success that, from the day
of her trials, the future of the screw in the Navy was assured. The
Rattler was of 888 tons measurement, and had engines of -200 111',
nominal. In I.S45, she underwent some very convincing tests with
the paddle sloop Alcrto, a vessel of 70(5 tons measurement and -200
H.P. nominal. On an eighty miles' course, in a calm, the screw beat
' Xaut. MiKj., 183'J, iH). 120, -i'M. IIci- engines were by Messrs. Honnie. See ahu
Naut. Mag., 1840, pp. 453, 529, 671, 735, 744, 812.
198 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
the paddle by 23i minutes ; on a thirty-fonr miles" course, in a
moderate breeze, with sails set, the screw was again victorious by
13 minutes. On a sixty miles' course, against a head sea, the Battler
won by 40 minutes. But the most conclusive experiment of all was
made when, the two vessels being fastened stern to stern, and both
steaming their best, the Rattler towed the Alecto at the rate of 2^
miles an hour.^ The form, pitch, number of blades, and other
details of the screw remained, of course, to be modified in accord-
ance with .practical experience ; but the general principles of the
design of Smith and Ericsson have undergone but little change.
At first, ak-eady existing vessels belonging to the Navy were
fitted with the screw after first having been lengthened and other-
wise altered. Several very old ships of the larger classes were thus
treated, among them being the Ajax, launched in 1809, the Horatio,
launched in 1809, and the Nelson, launched in 1814. The first ship
of the hue to be designed, ab initio, for the screw was the Agamem-
non, 80, which was laid down at Woolwich in 1849, and launched
in 1852. Particulars of a few typical steam men-of-war - of the
period 1816-1856 are given on p. 199.
Only one other radical new departure in naval construction
remains to be noticed here. It was made at the very end of the
pei-iod now under review, and, in 1856, when it had barely indicated
its nature and significance, few can have suspected whither it was
destined to lead. This departure was necessitated by the fact that
the power of the gun had begun to grow greatly. Fulton, years
before, had aimed at giving a steam war-vessel such impenetrable
scanthng as should afford complete protection to her crew in action ;
but he had used only wood as armour. The swift and tragic de-
struction, chiefly by shell-fire, of the Turkish squadron off Sinope, on
November 30th, 1853, led to the building, for the purposes of the
war with Eussia, of vessels armoured not with wood but with iron.
The credit of the invention is due to France ; but, upon plans of the
vessels being sent across the Channel, England, in 1855, promptly
followed suit by constructing the four wooden-hulled armoured
batteries. Trusty, Thunder, Glutton and Meteor, and by adding to
them in 1856 the iron-hulled armoured batteries Thunderbolt, Terror,
Mtna and Erebus? The craft of the earlier type were of about 1540
tons measurement, 150 H.P. nominal, and a speed of 4'5 knots.
' Xaut. Mnij , 1845, p. .331. - Models of all these are at Gieenwicb.
' Models of these are at Greenwich.
TYPICA L s TEA MS /I I PS.
199
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200
CIVIL BISTOBT OF THE ROYAL NAVT, 1816-1856.
They carried fourteen 68-prs., 95 cwt. smooth-bore muzzle-loaders,
and a complement of 200 men, and were protected with 4' 5 inch
iron plates. The vessels of the later type were of about 1950 tons
measurement, 200 H.P. nominal, and a speed of 5'5 knots. Thej'
carried each 16 guns instead of 14, but had complements and armour
like the earlier batteries. The Erebus, which may be taken as a
tj'pe of the whole class, was 186 feet 85 inches in length and 48 feet
6 inches broad, and drew 8 feet 10 inches forward and 8 feet
11 inches aft.
The armament " of some of the ships which have been named as
having been constructed between 1815 and 1856 was, according to
the original design, which, however, in a few cases, was modified
later, as follows : —
.NrMBEit, Nail-i;e,
.\ND V
I'SITION
or Gu-\s.
Date.
Ship.
Lowev Deck. , Middle Deck.
Main Deck.
Upper Deck, or
Qr.Deck&F'castle.
No. Prs
W^M. ,,„.
Prs. ^V^f'- No.
Pre.
Weight.
Cwt.
No. Prs.
Weight.
Cv.t.
1852 ll/Kkeo/WMiill,
^""^ 1 ton, 131. .
- flO Sin.
126 32
65 1 (30
56 n 6
32 56
Sin. 65
}38
32
42
(20 32
( 1 OS
25
95
1839 Queen, 110 .
(24 32
( 6 Sin.
58 V/26
65 n 4
32 56
.'^in. 65
j 30
32
41
(14 32
I 6 1 32
25
45
1853 '{^'ioi'^" ^'^"'"
(20 Siu.
% I ■■
ifl
32
56 1
(23 32
I 1 ; 68
42
il6
32
Siu.
65 )
95
1333
Rodney, 92 .
11
32
Sin.
- }..
fl
32
Sin.
} 56
26 j 32
42
1854
Orion, 91. .
34
Sin.
65
31
32
56
(22 32
I 1 63
42
95
1835
Vanguard, SO
(20
I 8
32
Sin.
56 1
65 i ••
{1
32
Sin.
50 1
65 )
21 32
42
1852
Agamemnon, 80
36
Sin.
65
34
32
56
1 8 1 lOin.
95
S5
1842
Cumlerland, 70
{1
32
Sin.
56 1
65 ) ••
n
32
Sin.
50 1
65 1
16 32
42
1855
SAonnon, 51 .
..
30
Sin.
*•' \ 1 68
56
95
1332
Temon, 50 .
{1
32
sin.
65 } ^- ^'
45
1843
Arrogant, 46.
{i-l
32
Sin.
56 1 (16 32
65 n 2 68
32
95
1834
Pique, 40. .
1836
Inconstant, 36
22
32
56
14 32
25
1853
Tribune, 31 .
20
32
56
flO :12
( 1 lOin.
42
85
1823
Jlainbow, 28 .
20
32
(can.)
; 6 18
[ 2 9
(carr.)
1848 Diamond, 23.
2I>
32
45
( 6 32
\ 2 Siu.
25
56
2 Sin.
112
1344
Retribution, 10
<^ 4 Sin
4 32
65
25
1849
Tiger, 16 . .
8
32
56
( 2 loin.
I 6 32
85
56
1823
Cruiser, 13 .
16
32
(COT.)
2 6
1837
Gorgon, 6.
f 4 32
•• ii 2 lOiU.
42
1847
Britomart, 8.
.. S 18
15
1856
Alhacore, 2 .
( 1 6S
(1 32
9.1
56
Numerous guns were used in the naval service. Particulars
' Particulars chiefly from Off. Catal. v( R. N. Museum.
JMriniVE.VENTS IN aUNNEHV. 201
of the most important of those which are mentioned above are
appended : ^ —
Gun. Weight. Length. Cai.ibke. ''p*,,,^^"'^ Pat-tern. Remai[K^.
8 In. 65 9 0 805 \u 0 Gen. Millar's
Cwt. Ft. iu. In. [.bri. o7..
10 to. 85 9 4 lo-o 1. 0 Go„.Minar-s. {^°,'„ ^^n sl.I^reiTbs^''"'^'
I Originally f..rhli-ll(:u lbs.)auil
plugt?<^ii hollow shot (56 lbs.)
onl}'. Lal'-r as t)8-prs.
Bursting charge. 2 lbs. 9 07,.
68 pr. 95 10 0 «-12 lli 0 Col. Dundas-s /Bureting charge, for cmmun
) Bhell. 2 lbs. 9 oz.
32 pr. .i6 9 ti (i-41 10 g Sir T. Blonif fielil's : \
32 pr. 30 « 0 6-41 8 0 Dickson & Millar'is I Burstiug charge, for common
32 pr. r.o 9 0 6-3V5 ." (I Monk's "A" / shell, 1 lb. 5 oz. ; for dla-
32 pr. 45 s 6 6-35 7 (1 Monk's "B" i phragm, 3 cz. 2 d'rs.
32 pr. 42 .s 0 6-3-. 6 0 Hunk's "C" I
32 pr. 2:1 1; (I e-;l 4 u SirT. BlDniifloM's ,\ borel-np 18-pr.
32-pr. can-. 17 4 11 G ■■_':. 2 11 CarnmCo-'s
> Lt.-Genl. Wm. Millar, Dir. Ocnl. of Art., died 1838.
: Gcnl. SirThos. Blonielield, Bart., iusp. of .\rt. from 1780 to lii.'s death in 1822.
It seems unnecessary to say anything here of the various rifled
and breechloading heavy guns which began to be experimented with
towards the close of the period under review. Some Lancaster guns
— pieces having a twisted elliptical bore of small excentricity, in lieu
of rifling, to make the projectile rotate — were used before Sebastopol
by the Xaval Brigade ; but they took no permanent hold in the
service ; and it maybe stated broadly that, until after 1856, the British
Navy's weapons afloat were exclusively smooth-bore muzzle-loaders,
of types not greatly differing from the guns which had been used at
Trafalgar.
Incendiary rockets, the invention of Mr. (afterwards Sir-) William
Congreve,''^ in 1805, had been used afloat in Basque road, in 1809,
and ashore, at the battle of Leipzig, in 1818. After 1815 thej' were
considerably improved, and became valuable auxiliaries, especially in
conflicts with semi-civilised peoples. The shrapnel ^ shell, also, though
it originated before the Napoleonic wars, underwent great improve-
ments after the peace.
The small-arms used in the Navy during the period underwent
far greater improvement than the heavy guns. The weapon in use
immediately after the conclusion of the long wars was a flint lock
' Cliiufly from Sir II. Douglas, ' Xav. (iuniifry,' cd. of 1855 ; aud OIT. Cat. of Mus.
of Art,, Woolwich.
'^ Succeeded liis father, Lt.-Genl, Sir W. Congrcve, Hart., as Coiit. of the Itoyal
Laboratory: was never in the regular army; died 1828.
" Lt.-Genl. Henry Shrapnel invented the shell bearing his name in 1TSI2, and it
was adopted iu 1803. Iu IHIl lie was granted a iwusiun of £1200 a year. He die<i
in 1842.
202
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1S5G.
musket, which was issued in two lengths, the shorter ^ being intended
for boat service. This musket, the " Brown Bess," was altered, late
in the thirties, into a percussion musket. About the year 18-40, the
Brunswick naval rifle, the first rifle used in the service, was partially
introduced. Then followed the shorter smooth-bore percussion
musket of 1842, which, rifled with three grooves, was used in the
Navy. In 1851, the Delvigne-Minie percussion rifle became the
Army weapon, and it was subsequently adopted by the Navy, where
it was not actually superseded by the Enfield - until after 1856. A
few particulars of these muzzle-loading muskets,^ though they were
by no means the only types emploj^ed, may be welcome, and are
therefore given below : —
Nature.
Calibre.
Length of ' Weight of
Barrel, i Musket.
Remarks.
In.
In.
Lbs.
Sea service Mnsket, ca. 1825 . .
•T53
37
I0^13
do. do. (short) . .
■753
24
8-22
Sea service " Brown Bess ■' . . .
•753
36
9-4
Bnmswick naval rifle, 1840. . .
•7a6
33
1134
.-^.B. Percussion Musket, 1S40 (short)
•753
3U
S-8
Percussion llusket (Converted)
■759
30
8^75
E>elvitriie-^Iiiiie Percussion Rifle ' .
■11)1
39
9^31
Flint lock.
Flint lock. Length amplete, 56 in.
Converted to percussion.
Grooves, 2. Twist, I in 30 in.
Charce, 4 • 5 drachms.
Grooves, 3. Twist, 1 in 78 in.
Grooves, 4. Twist, 1 in 78 in.
' Bullet, 670 grs. ; charge, 68 grs.
The old ■' pepper box" revolver was used early in the century ;
but in 1849 Colt's, and, in 1851, Deane and Adams's muzzle-
loading, chambered, percussion-capped revolvers were patented ; and
these, or similar weapons, were much carried by officers during the
Crimean War.
All, or very nearly all. the earlier engines used for steam pro-
pulsion in the Navy were of the side-lever iy^e, and all the boilers
were of the flue variety, working with a pressure seldom or never
exceeding from 22 to 30 lbs. In 1843, tubular boilers and oscil-
lating cylinders first received the countenance of the Admiralty,
though oscillating engines had been patented as early as 1827.* In
the first screw ships the engines were not coupled directly to the
screw shaft, but were geared to it. When, however, the screw had
been for a few years applied to ships of the line, it was seen that it
was desirable to keep the engines, then always horizontal, as far as
possible below the water-line. This led to the coupUng of the engines
' Length complete, -i ft. 8 in
- Cal. 0'577 ; in various lengths and weights, with tliree or five grooves.
^ From specimens in R. U. S. Mus., etc.
■* By Joseph Maudslay.
auNNEitr TitAiNixa. 203
immediately to the screw sh.ift. More revolutions were, of course,
needed than had been called for under a system which multiplied
them ])y means of cogged wheels ; but the use of high-iDressure
steam, introduced into the Navy in 1853,' served to simplify the
problems thus created. For some years, nevertheless, high-pressure
steam found little favour among naval engineers. The firms
most intimately and honourably associated with the somewhat
difficult task of inducing the Lords of the Admiralty to utilise
steam as it deserved, were those of Boulton and Watt, Maudslay,
and Penn.
The events of the war with the United States, having pointedly
directed the attention of artillery experts to the vital importance of
good gunnery in the Navy, a naval gunnery school was formed
tentatively at Portsmouth in 1830. The origin of this was due
chiefly to the persistent appeals of General Sir Howard Douglas to
the Admiralty. Sir Howard, like Captains Joseph Needham Tayler,
and Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke, K.N., had been instrumental in
securing the general fitting of sights to ships' guns in the early years
of the peace, and also, like Captains James Marshall, and Thomas
Hastings, had long taken a wide and active interest in all that
pertained to the development of artillery science. The school,
which was lodged on board the Excellent, was entrusted to the
direction of Commander (afterwards Captain) George Smith, an
officer well known for his own improvements in gunnery and for his
invention of paddle-box boats. In 1832, the system of gunnery
instruction thus introduced was extended and permanently estab-
lished on board the Excellent, under Captain (later Sir) Thomas
Hastings, who remained in connnand until August, 1845, and who
was then succeeded by Captain Henry Ducie Chads. In the mean-
time, a school, on somewhat different lines, had been established on
board the Saii Josef, at Devonport, by Captain Josc]))! Xi'cdhani
Tayler, while in charge of the Ordinary there from 1838 to 1841.
The present Devonport gunnery establishment is, however, a
more modern institution than the Portsmouth one, and dates only
from August, 1S5(), when Captain Richard Stnide Hewlett assumed
command of the Cambriflf/r.
In 1836, the Koyal Naval Colkigc; at i'ortsmouth, which up to
that time had been devoted to the education of "young gentlemen "
for the Navy, was appropriated I'nr the instruction of half-pay naval
' The engines of the Malacca, of lliat year, worked witli steiim at OO ll)s.
204 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-185G.
officers, of all ranks, in the higher branches of the science of their
profession.'
The final cessation of the French and American wars led, of
coiu-se, to the making of enormous reductions in the emploj'ed
strength of the personnel and materiel of the Navy. In 1813, there
were in commission 99 ships of the line, and 495 craisers, and
140,000 seamen and Eoyal Marines were serving. In 1817, only
13 ships of the line and 89 cruisers were in commission, and only
19,000 seamen and Eoyal Marines were voted. Thus, within about
four years, 121,000 seamen and Eoyal Marines must have been
thrown out of Government employment. The majority of these, it
is to be feared, fell into something very like destitution. The fate
of the maemployed officers was only a trifle less unfortunate, for the
number of them placed upon half-pay was naturally nearly pro-
portionate. In 1813, there were 3-285 Lieutenants ; in 1817, there
were 3949 ; and very little reflection \\i\\ show that if every one of
the Lieutenants was employed in 1813, about 3350 must have been
unemployed in 1817. This state of affairs gave rise to much misery
throughout the country. The peace not merely deprived all officers
of practically every chance of prize money, but also suddenly re-
duced the regular emoluments of upwards of 80 per cent, of them
in the following proportions : Admirals, from .£5 to ±'2 2.s. ; Vice-
Admirals, from £4 to £1 12.?. M. ; Eear-Admirals, from ±'3 to £1 5s. ;
Captains, from (in some instances) ±'2 3.s. lOrf. to ll.s. 6rf. ; Com-
manders, from 16-s. M. to 8s. 6rf., or, at best, to ]0s. ; and Lieutenants
to, in the vast majority of cases, as little as 5s. a day. In no case
could a half-pay Lieutenant expect to receive more than 7s., a sum
equal only to ±"127 15s. a year; and, unless he happened to be high
up on the list, the allowance available for the support of himself as
a gentleman, and probably of a wife and family as well, was no more
than £91 5s. per annum ; nor was there much prospect of a brighter
future, or even of employment.
" So long as WAX lasted, there was possible promotion, at least as far as jxjst rank,
for all ; and, from 1793 to 1815, deserving officers were seldom neglected for long by
those with whom lay the selection. But the very readiness of the Admiralty to reward
good service during war-time, led in i^eace-time to considerable hardshiiis, besides being
in some instances distinctly antagonistic to the public welfare. The promotions con-
sequent njion the happy conclusion of hostilities, brought the Captains" list up to 883,
the highest point it has ever attained since a British Xavy has existed. At the time
when that maximum was reached — it was in 1818 — the senior Captain on the list had
' Naut. Mag. 1836, p. 311.
EXCESSIVE AUE OF OFFICEliS. 205
held that rank for twenty-two years, a period moie tlian long enough, consistently with
the best interests of the service, to qualify for flag-rank and command. Yet twenty-
two years was a very short period in comparison with the time for which officers, who
at the peace were Captains of medium or junior standing, had to wait ere they attained
flag-rank. The evil reached its height in 1841.' In the earlier part of that year, all
the Captains at the head of the list were men who had held post-rank ever since the
year after Trafalgar. The senior one of them, judged by the date of his commission as
Captain, was about sixty-eight years of age : several were over seventy ; and one, at least,
was as much as seventy-eight. Yet it was from among these old gentlemen that the
list of Admirals had to be recruited ; for then, as now, promotion to tlag-rank went by
simple seniority ; and, to make matters worse, there was at that time no regular scheme
of retirement for officers of above the rank of Commander. The consequence was that
almost all the Admirals, besides a large number of Captains, were too old to be in a
condition to render efl'ective service in their profession ; and the iiolitical caricaturist
was justified, a little later, in representing the typical Connuander-in-Chief of the period
as a gouty veteran, obliged to promenade his quarter-deck in a bath-chair. Both Sir
John Chambers White, and Mce- Admiral Edward Harvey, were seveuty-four when they
took up the command at the Nore ; Admiral Bowles was seventj'-niue when he became
Port-Admiral at Portsmouth ; Sir David Milne was of the same age when he assumed
the like office at Devonport ; and, even on foreign stations, Sir Robert Stopford flew his
flag at seventy-three ; Sir Peter Halkett at seventy-two ; Eear- Admiral Charles John
Austen (1) at seventy-three ; and Lord Dundonald at seventy-five. And, in spite of
such facilities as existed in 1841 for the retirement of officers of less rank than that of
Post-Captain, the active lists were still choked throughout with old officers, survivoi-s
of the French wars. Of this category, there were about 200 Commanders and 14.50
Lieutenants who had received no promotion whatsoever for a period of twenty-six
j'ears or more. One officer had been a Commander for forty-seven years ; another had
been a Lieutenant for sixty years ; yet another had been a Master for sixty-one years ;
and there was a Purser with sixty-four years' service in that rank to his credit. All
these officers, however, were set down in the Xavy List as being fit for duty."' -
During the war with Russiti, the Navy, all things consitlered,
disappointed the expectations of the countrj-; and it may well he that
its comparative failure to effect brilliant results may be traced in
some degree to the excessive age of many of the Flag-officers and
Captains, all of whom were, of course, the products of the system
which has been described. In 1854, Sir Charles Napier was sixty-
eight, and Vice-Adrairal James Whitley Deans Dundas was a year
older; and Sir EdiiiiiiKl Lyons, though only a licar-Adniiral, was
sixty-four, while llear-Admiral David Price was of the same age,
and liear- Admiral Henry Ducie Chads was sixty-six. From officers
of such advanced life it was perhaps unreasonable to look for the
energy, activity, and nu'iital suppleness that distinguisji capalilc
younger men.
' A Royal Commission to inquire into the subject of promotion and reliremeiii liad
been appointed in 18;i8. It rei)orted in 1840, making various recomniciidations, some
of which were adopted, one of tlieui being the abolition of the raidv of retired rear-
admiral.
- Author; in 'Social Kngland,' vi. 14.
206 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, lblG-1856.
Long ere the days of the Russian War, however, the Admiralty
had made repeated efforts with the object of doing something towards
clearing the congested lists, reducing the age of flag-officers, and
accelerating promotion. As early as 1816, 100 of the senior
Lieutenants who, owing to age and infirmities, were assumed to
be incapable of further service, were permitted to accept super-
annuation with the rank of commander,' and a pension of 8s. &d. a
day. This arrangement was a slight extension of the very limited
scheme of superannuation for Lieutenants that had been in operation
for some years previously. In 1827, for the first time, some attempt
was made to reduce the active flag list." In 1830, another Order in
Council ^ authorised the retirement of Lieutenants who were of sufli-
cient seniority to be in the receipt of half-pay at 7s. a day. The list
of officers who took advantage of this provision soon became a long
one ; yet the measure thinned the lower executive ranks only to a
partial extent, and, of course, left untouched the upper ranks, which
were equally crowded. A further step was taken in 1840,^ when 50
of the senior Commanders were allowed to retire with the rank of
captain, and half -pay at 10s. 6cZ. a day. Still the tension remained
extreme until the elaboration of a more general scheme, which was
published in the London Gazette of September 1st, 1848, and became
part of the Regulations under an Order in Council of April 24th,
1847. This provided that the rank o^* retired rear-admiraP should
be given by seniority, with pay at th'^ratelof £l 5s. a daj', to such
Captains on the 14s. &d. half-pay list as migkt ap^lj' -for it ; and that
an addition of 7s. M. a day should be given to applicants b^eniority
from the l'2s. 61:/. and 10s. Qd. half-pay lists of Captains of not less
than twenty years' standing and fifty-five years of age, officers from
both lists to be permitted to assume the title of retired rear-admiral
at the period when, had they remained upon the active list, they
would have obtained the flag by seniority. The Order also gave
proportionally increased pensions to the widow of the officers
afi:'ected. The great merit of this Order was that it tended to
facihtate promotion, and to reduce the age of flag-officers on the
active list, though, from the nature of the situation, it could not
produce these results except gradually. A still more efi'ective Order
' 0. in C, Jan. 30th, 1816. ^ 0. in C, June 30th, 1827.
' Nov. 1st, 1830. ' 0. in C, Aug. 10th, 1840.
^ Which had been aboUslied only a few years earlier in pursuiince of the Eepurt
of 1840.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE. 207
of June 'ioth, IHol, reduced the number of flag officers on the active
list to 99, exclusive of Admirals of the Fleet ; reduced the numl;er of
Captains on the active list to a permanent maximum of 350 ; placed
the number of Commaudei's on the active list at 350, and the number
of Lieutenants at 1'200 ; and made various I'etiriug arrangements ac-
cordingly. These various Orders, on December 20th, 1856, had had
the salutary result of transferring to the Retired, or Reserved Half -pay
Lists, 221 flag-officers, 372 captains, and 449 commanders, in addition
to officers who, having been retired, had died before that date. The
needful reforms had not even then been completed, but an excellent
and very substantial beginning had been made with them. The
number of officers then actually remaining on the active hst was :
Admirals .
21
Masters
zm
Naval Instructors '
51
Vice-Ailmirals
29
Mates
148
Medical Officers .
617
Rear-Admirals
51
Engineers .
iiy
Paymasters .
447
Captains
380
Second Masters
105
Officers, R.M.L.I..
423
Commanders
542
Chaplains .
142
Officers, R.M.A. .
58
Lieutenants
1138
1 B
esicies those
who were also Chaplains
and who are counted as such.
It should here be recalled, with regard to the Royal Marines,
that a fourth, or Woolwich Division,^ of the force had been formed
in 1805,- and that an artillery company had, at about the same time,
been added to each division ; but it should be noted that it was not
until 1854 that the separate title of Royal Marine Light Infantrj'
was conferred, and that the old artillery companies, bj- that time
increased in number, were constituted a separate corps under the
name of the Royal Marine Artillery. This corps, with lieadquarters
at Portsmouth, was then given a strength of fourteen companies.
Continuous service for seamen in the Navy dates from the issue,
on February 14th, 1853, of the report of a Committee on Manning
which had ])(!(!n ordered on the previous July 2Gth, and from the
consequent promulgation of an Order in Council of April 1st, 1853.
The real author of the scheme as adopted was Mr. Charles Henry
Pennell, then a senior clerk in the Admiralty, who, in 18(57, was
knighted for his services, and who died in 1898, aged ninety-three.
But, at first, seamen were almost as difficult to obtain as they
had ever been. Lord Clarence Paget, writing of iiis ajipointmcnt to
the Princess lioijal, 91, in October, 1853, says: —
" There was a scarcity, indeed almost an ahsence, of seamen. However, with
assistance of several valuable officere who were apiwinted to the ship, and l)y dint of
Abolished in 1870. ^ O. in C, Aug. 15th, 1805.
208 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
handbills and touting of all Borts, we managed to enter at the average of twenty to
thirty per week, such as they were. Scarcely any of them had been in a man-of-war,
and consequently they were entirely ignorant of the management of great guns and
muskets. ... I had named March 1st (1854) as the earliest period I could get the ship
to Spithead, but the Admiralty were so anxious to make a show, that we were forced
out on February 15th ; and a very pretty mess we made of it . . . But still we could
not get men, men, men ! I wrote and wrote to the Admiralty, stating that if they did
not assist me by placing two hundred coastguards on board, I should be taken by the
first Russian frigate we fell in with." '
Up to 1823 the daily rum allowance per man in the Navy was
always half a pint, and was the cause of much drunkenness. In
that year, on commissioning the Thetis, 46, Captain Sir John Philli-
more ohtained the permission of the Admiralty, subject to the con- ^
sent of the crew, to reduce the allowance to a quarter of a pint.
The innovation made the people of the Thetis unpopular with those ,
of other ships, and even led to fighting ; but, on the return of the ■
Ganges, 84, from the Mediterranean, her crew announced that they
would not suffer the Tltctis's people to be maltreated, as the innova-
tion was most beneficial. The change enabled the men to have
meat every day, and to escape the two "banyan days" per week,
on which no meat had formerly been served out. It also enabled
them to have cocoa and tea, and gave them 2s. per month
extra pay.'
It is unfortunately impossible, on account of lack of space, to
follow here the development and history of the Packet Service,^ the
Coast Blockade, the Coastguard, the Impress Service, the Excise
and Customs' Service, the Transport Service, the Signal Station
Service, the Coast A^olunteers, and other organisations which, during
a part or the whole of the period now under review, were connected
with the Eoyal Navy. Indeed, in a work hke the present, it is
extremely diflicult to include even a sufficient number of the facts
needful to enable the reader to follow in the broadest and most
general way the gradual evolution of the fighting Navy ; and, owing
to the vastness and complexity of the subject, it has been found
imperative to omit many details which, though they are of the
1 Adm. Lord C. Paget, ' Autobiog.,' 7*J.
° Life of Sir B. J. Sulivan, 12.
^ The " Falmouth Packets," first established in 1688 for the conveyance of mails all
over the world, were taken over by the Admiralty in 1823, and thenceforward placed
under naval officers. This arrangement continued until 1853. In the later part of the
period, Falmouth was abandoned, and " Packet Stations " were established at Dover,
Portpatrick, Pembroke, Liverpool, and Holyhead. Steamers began to be utilised in
the service in 1830.
THE NAVY LIST. 209
greatest interest, cannot be adequately illustrated outside the covers
of special treatises.
Until 1814 there was, using tenns in their modern sense, no
official Kavy List. For many years previously there had been
published at intervals, on behalf of the Admiralty, lists of Flag-
officers, Captains, Commanders, and Lieutenants. These, which
very well printed, on the best quality of thick paper, swelled,
towards the close of the long wars, to bulky volumes, which are
commonly met with in red morocco bindings and with gilt edges,
and which must have been very costly. They showed merely the
seniority and dates of commissions of officers of the ranks in
question, and gave no other information whatsoever. To supple-
ment them, Mr. D. Steel, a publisher, of Union Kow, Minories,
caused to be compiled and issued periodically a pamphlet which, at
its first appearance, in 1780, was entitled, ' Complete List of the
Eoyal Navy.' This originally included nothing beyond a list of
ships, with the number of their guns, the names of their com-
manders, and letters indicating whether the vessels were in commis-
sion, out of commission, or only in process of building. It consisted
of no more than a dozen very small pages, and cost sixpence. But
it quickly grew ; and as early as the end of 1781, it also gave the
stations of ships in commission, and a list of men-of-war taken by
or from the enemy. It next began to chronicle the names of officers
of Commander's rank and upwards who from time to time perished
in the service of their country. In 1782 it added the date of launch
or acquirement to the other information concerning each ship, and
gave lists of the Lords of the Admiralty, Commissioners of the
Navy, etc., and Navy Agents. Ho it progressed, coniing out monthly
in time of war and quarterly during peace, and, at length, increasing
its price to a shilling for the edition on common, and to eighteenpence
for the edition on fine pa])er. Towards the close of the war it
contained ;in inmicnse mass of useful intelligence, and extended to
sixty pages or upwards of closely-printed matter. It then com-
prised not only the information given in the eaxlier issues, but also
lists of Flag-olHcers, Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants, Masters,
Surgeons, and officers of the lioyal Marines.
But Steel's Navy Lists, though very accurate and tnistworthy,
were not official ; and it was not until the beginning of 1814 that
any list giving the kind of information to be found in Steel was
published by authority. The Navy List which was then begun, and
VOL. VI. p
210 CIVIL IimTORY OF THE LOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
which has been coutinued to the present time, seems to have been
originally compiled, mider Admiralty direction, by a Mr. Finlaison,
and was issued by Mr. John Murray, who remained its publisher for
more than seventy years. The lists contain the history of many
changes, showing, for example, as they do, the gradual rise to
influence of the engineer ofiicers, who, nevertheless, were not
catalogued by name in them until as late as 1852. They are,
however, astonishingly reticent on other matters concerning which
it seems natural to consult them. Thus, for instance, they vouch-
safe no enhghtenment concerning an important reform which was
made in 1843, and which transmuted Masters, Paymasters (Pm-sers),
Surgeons, Naval Instructors, and Chaplains from Warrant into
Commissioned officers.
Some interesting and important Admiralty Memoranda or Orders,
or Orders in Council of the period, are those of December 22nd, 1836,
establishing the warrant rank of " Naval Instructor and School-
master"; July 2-lth, 1837, regulating the rank and pay of engineer
officers, and directing that they should rank " below Cai-penters " ;
December 6th, 1838, establishing ships' libraries ; and March 30th,
1839, conferring upon seamen the right to purchase tobacco at a
shilling a pound — the price paid by them to this day.
The lists, moreover, enable us to follow the alterations which
were made in Naval imiform. The earliest of these dates from
January 1st, 1825.
" Waistcoats and kuee-breeehes of white kerseymere were ordered for all gr.ides;
but pantaloons of blue cloth, and half boots, were also permitted to be worn. A
Master of the Fleet, and all officers of civilian status, were assigned black strips to their
swords, and were directed not to have the blades blued. Physicians and Secretaries
were given dress swords with rapier blades. The lapels of all these Warrant Officers'
coats were to be blue, with distinguishing marks on collars .and buttons. A Master of
the Fleet bore on his collar, and all officers of his department bore on their Ijuttons,
three anchors, the seal of the Navy Office. Physicians bore on their collars, and all
Medical officers on their buttons, an anchor with a serpent twisted roimd the shank
and stock, the seal of the Sick and Hurt Office. Pursers bore on their collars, and all
members of the accountant branch on their buttons, two anchors and cables, crossed
saltire, the seal of the Victualling Office. Blue, instead of white pantaloons, were
made optional for junior officers, probably with a view to save expense. Mates were
given a gold button and a button-hole of gold lace on the stand-up collars of their coats,
and a narrow white edge to the coat. Midshipmen were given a white turn-back as
before, but their coats were not edged with white. JMates, Midshipmen, Gunners,
Boatswains, and Carpenters were assigned swords similar to those of the Masters, but
were not confined to weapons of any particular length. All officers were required to
wear cocked hats when in full or undress, but, while at sea, might wear round black
hats, with black silk bindings and bands, and black buckles, black silk or leather
KAVAL UXIFOTIM. 211
cockades ami loops, and distinctive buttons. The coclied hat had previously been
worn as individual fancy siij;f;esteil ; but in 18"2o it was so prescribed as to be wearable
' fore and aft ' only, altboujili, until some years later, a few perverse officers continued
to have their hats so made that they could be worn ' athwart-ships.' The full-dress
coats of those commissioned officers who were then of warrant rank had turned-down
collars ; and their buttons bore no crown above the anchor. The officers in question,
moreover, were no longer given knee-breeches. All undress coats had fall-down collars,
and lapels to button across the cliest ; and commissioned officers were given distin-
guishing stripes on their cutis, or were rendered recognisable by their epaulettes or
buttons.
"In 1827 full-dress was abolislied, and knee-breeches were <lirected to be worn oidy
at Drawing-Eooms. The colour of coat collars was changed from white to blue, and the
collars were made to stand up. The white cufl's were given a slashing; but the cuff
rings distinctive of flag-rank were withdrawn. In 1831, fidl diess, with a few changes,
was re-established.
" In 1833 King William altered the facings of naval uniform from white to red,
and the old colour was not restored until 1813. In 1837 a uniform was first established
for Engineers, who were then all warrant t)fficers. In 1843 it was ordered that officers
should be distinguished by the disposition of their buttons, executive officers being
given a double-breasted, and civilian officers a single-breasted arrangement, and blasters
having their buttons at regular intervals. Paymasters theirs in twos, and Surgeons
theirs in threes. All special devices were withdrawn from buttons, except from those
of the Engineers, which bore an engine surmounted by a crown, and were disposed in
groups of four. Black-handled sword grips were thenceforth given only to Boatswains,
Gunners, and Carpenters.
" In 1816 scales, or ejmulettes witliout bullion, were made permissible to be worn
on jackets at sea by Captains and Commanders; and Mates and Second Masters were
given single epaidettes, with distinguishing badges, to be worn on the right shoulder.
The midress coats of executive officers were assigned pointed tiaps instead of lapels, and
a gold crown was ordered to be worn over tlie lace on caps. In 1817 scales for
Captains and Commanders were abolislied, and the frock-coat was established, to be
worn without epaulettes, but, in the case of executive officers, with distinctive cutl'
rings. Caps were not allowed to be worn ashore in full or rmdress uniform. In 1856,
the marks on the epaulettes were altered ; Mates were given shoulder-straps or scales ;
Midshipmen had dirks substituted for their swords; the cap-badge was introduced;
and mohair cai)-bands took the place of gold cap-lace. At the same time the Engineers"
distinctive bultun was witlidnnvn."
But, during the time, as the following extracts will show, there
was more laxity than is now permitted : —
" Beanls and moustaches were never seen in the navy till Crimean times. The
first Captain who ever dared u]ion the innovation was Lord John Hay,' in the Wdsji :
and, as to the hairy faces of his gig's crew he added red caps, no small sensation was
created . . . The tirst Captain who had the temerity to invade the sacred iireciucts of
tlie Admiralty wiih hirsute 'fixings' was Captain Moorsom,^ of percussion shell fame,
who, on his return frum the Black Sea, 'repaired' to the sanctum of the First Sea
Lord to report himself. . . . Admiral Sir Maurice Fitzhardinge Berkeley' . . . pale
' Admiral (if ilji- Fleet Lord Jc.hii Hay (3) was Commander of the Wasp, 1852-51.
* Coustaiiliiie Kicliard Moorsom, born 1792, died a Vice-Admiral on the retired list
in 18G1.
" Later Lord Fitzliardinge; died an .Vdmiral in 1867.
p 2
212 CIVIL HISTORY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
with rage and astonishiuent . . . was nut in a condition to do more tlian wave the
daring intruder to the door with the cutting remark : ' Horseguards next door ! ' '
" The late Admiral Sir Alexander Milne ^ told me of an eccentric Captain, who
insisted upon all his officers wearing tall white beaver hats — even Midshipmen having
to go aloft in them." '
Duiing all this period, moreover, there was uo established
uniform for seamen ; nor was anything of the kind introduced
until 18.57. The next extracts will show what kind of clothing was
occasionally worn by men on the lower deck : —
" The Pursers' Instructions of 1824 contain a long list of the various descriptions
of slop-clothing of which a stock was to be maintained, such as blue-cloth jackets,
knitted worsted waistcoats, blue cloth trousers, duck trousers and frocks, shirts,
stockings, hats, mitts, blankets, and black silk handkerchiefs."*
"The Captain of the Vernon, in 1810, ordered his men, on fitting out, to wear red
serge frocks, with red woollen comforters ; but, when the shii) had been in commission
a short time, the unforeseen difficulty of keeping up the su))ply arose, and was eventu-
ally overcome by api^ropriating all the remaining red frocks to one watch, the other
donning the blue, which were obtainable from the Purser. ... In the Blazer, in 1845,
the ship's company wore blue and white striped guernseys, with jackets. Commander
Arthur Parry Eardley Wilmot, of the Barhquin, in 1853, dressed his gig's crew a8
harlequins ; and in 1854, Captain AVallace Houstoun, in the Trincomrdci; had all his
ship's company in red shirts and fancy caps." '
"We embarked at the King's Stairs in the Dockyard, where we found the ship's
barge, with its stalwart crew dressed in white frocks and trousers, awaiting us."* —
{Amphitrite, 24, Captain Thomas Rodney Eden, 1847.)
" A year or two after this my father took me to see the review of the Experimental
Squadron, which was assembled at Spithead under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde
Parker. Her Majesty reviewed the squadron in her yacht . . . between two lines of
towering stately shii)s . . . with their yards manned by sailors all dressed in white." '
" The sailors . . . were dressed in their best clothes, or Sunda}' rig. . . . This
consisted of a short blue jacket with double rows of large mother of pearl Imttons
placed very close together, white frock with wide blue jean collar worn outside the
jacket, . . . and immensely wide blue cloth trousers."* — (ric^o))/, Captain Francis
Price Blackwood, 1850.)
" Very slack ideas prevailed in these times with regard to uniformity in seamen's
dress. . . . Captains of ships were allowed to vary the uniform of their men almost
at their pleasure. As an instance of this I may mention that the crew of the Caledonia
were allowed to wear a Scotch bonnet with a tartan band, as in character with the
ships name."' — (Caledonia, Captain Thomas Wren Carter, 1851.)
' ' At School and at Sea,' by ' Martello Tower' (1899), p. 230.
- Born 1806, died Admiral of the Fleet, 1896.
' ' At School and at Sea,' 147.
* ' Brit. Fleet,' 506 n.
^ ' Brit. Fleet,' 507. Have we in this paragraph a clue to the origin of the term
" blazer," as applied to a striped jacket ?
* Capt. C. Sloane-Stanley : ' Kemins.,' 9.
' Sloane-Stanley, ' Eemius.,' 11. But this was, not after 1847, but in the summer
of 1845 ; and it was not Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, but Eear-Adm. Hyde Parker (3),
who commanded.
* Sloane-Stanley, ' Kemins.,' 61.
^ Sloane-Stanley, ' Remins.,' 168.
MEDALS.
213
" Tlie Captain wore a nioustaclie. Having commanded a ship in the Mediterranean
on the Greek station, he fancied jwtticoat trousers fi>r the crew." ' — (H.M.S. Tweed,
Captain Lord Henry Jolni Spencer Chiireliill, 1S27.)
In these pages it has been repeatedlj' mentioned that during the
long wars no medals were granted except in a few cases to Flag-
officers and Captains, for any service, no matter how distinguished.
After a lapse, however, of upwards of thirty years, it was decided to
grant medals to survivors who had participated in certain selected
actions. The selection was to be made by Admirals Sir Thomas
Byam Martin and Sir Thomas Bladen Capell, and Eear-Admiral
Sir James Alexander Gordon, who, with Admiral Sir William Hall
Gage,- were appointed for the pui-pose in accordance with the
provisions of a Gazette notice of June 1st,
1847. It was at first intended that
medals should be given only for those
actions for which gold medals had pre-
viously been granted to Flag-officers and
Captains, and of which a complete list is
given below ; '' but the scope of the Board
of Selection was afterwards extended by
a notice of June 7th, 1848 ; and, on
January ■25th, 1849, it was announced
that medals were ready for issue in ac-
cordance with the recommendations of
the Board. It cannot be pretended that
the selection was well made. The names
of officers who had not Ixm^h prc^sent were set down as having been
associated witli ceitain actions;* and numerous actions which
' Sir H. Keppel, ' Life,' i. fuS.
- Gage, fur some reasim, did not sign tlie lists which were delivered l)y the Board.
' Gold Medail actions : —
Lord Howe's victfjry, June 1st. KOI.
Battle of Cape St. \'iiKcut, February I4tli. I*it7.
Battle of CumperUown, Oct-iber lltli, nit7.
Battle of the Nile, AuKUst 1st, 1798. ■
Recaptare of the //enniotie, October 2r»th, 1709.
Battle of Trafalgar, October 2Ist, 1«05.
Sir Richard StrachanV victory, November -Ith, 1805.
Battle t>ir San Doiiiliigo. February 6th. 180G.
Brisbane's capture of t'urai;t.a, .ianuary Ist. ISO".
Capture of the T>uHix by the Amelhijtt, November, lOlh,
1808.
Capture of the Badere ZajTer by thc.'fti/iorje, Jnly Cth,
1808.
E.(j., one " r,. Purvcr," w.as set down as having coniniaiidcd tlie Eiilvep>r))niile at
Trafalgar. It should liavo been Lieut. Hohert lieiijamiu Young.
KI..V« OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS
GOLD MED.\.L, 1794-1815.
(On the obverse, within an onk int
laurel ivreath, wax the recipient'. t
name.)
Capture of the Furieuse by the Honuc Citui/enne,
July f.tli, 1H(J9.
Capture of Banila Neira, .Vilgust 9th, 1810.
Hoste'd victory off Liasa, March 13tli, IHU.
Capture of the A'iro/i' by the Victorious, February ■j'Jml,
isi-j.
Capture of the Cli^iapeake ijy the .'Shannon, .Tnne 1st,
isla.
Capture of the Ktnitt by the Itettrns, March -jltli,
1814.
Capture of the President l)y the /•^mti/inion, .Ianu-
ary l.'ith, 1815.
214
CIVIL mSTORT OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
might have been justly inchided were entirely ignored. Honour
was, however, tardily done to hundreds of gallant and deserving
men ; and the country cleansed itself from the reproach of having
been ignobly ungrateful to those who had fought so well for its
liberty and its empire.
The ribbon from which this medal was ordered to be worn was
white, with blue edges.
Several other naval medals were instituted during the period.
The Long Sers'ice and Good Conduct (Navy) Medal was first
granted in 1831. It is worn suspended from a blue white-edged
ribbon. The medal for Conspicuous Gallantry (Navy) dates from
18.5.5, and is worn from a blue ribbon which has a white stripe
NAVAL WAR SEEVICE JIEDAL, 1703-1815.
{Numerous clasps were granted with this.)
along its middle. Other special war-service medals were also given,
in some instances with clasps, for Burmah (1824-26),* Burmah
(1852-53),= the Crimea (1854-56), and the Baltic (1854-55); and
there is an Arctic Medal for explorations between 1818 and 1855.
In addition, the Navy shared in the general service medals which
were distributed for the operations in China (1839-42), New Zealand
(1845-4(5), and the Cape (18-50-53). Certain late naval services, as,
for example, the battle of Navarino and the bombardment of Acre,
were rewarded with the Naval Medal, 1793-1815, with appropriate
clasps.
The Victoria Cross, instituted by Eoyal Warrant of February 5th,
1856, is conferred for exceptional exhibitions of personal bravery
and devotion in face of the enemy, and is worn by naval recipients
Indian medal, Xo. 1, issued in 1851.
Indian n.edal. No.
7V/7-; I/oXOrR OF THE FLAG.
215
from a ribbon of dark lilue. Tlie fii'st investiture of it was held by
Queen Victoria in Hyde Park on June ■2(jth, 1857 ; and the first naval
men to obtain the distinction were, specifying their rank at the time
of the act for which it was given : —
" Captain William Peel ; Lieutenants John Edmund Commerell, Hein\v James
Kab}-, George Fiott Day, Cecil William Backle\-, Jolin Bythesea, and Hugh Talbot
Burgoyne; Mates William Nathan Wrij;hte Hewett, and Charles Davis Lucas; Mid-
shipman Edward St. John Daniel ; Boatswains Henry Cooper, Joseph Kellaway, and
John Shepherd ; Boatswain's Mates John Sullivan, and Henry Curtis ; Quartermaster
William Kickard ; {captain of the Mast, John Ingoueville : Seamen Jose])h Trewavas,
Thomas Beeves, James Gorman, and Mark Scholefield ; Lieutenant of Marines George
Dare Dowel 1 : Corporal of Marines John Prettyjohn ; and Bombardier Thomas
Wilkinson."
Two little episodes connected with the honour of the flag
occurred in 1S39, and deserve a brief notice. The schooner
NAVAL LOXG SKUVICE AKD GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.
Instituted 1831.
liihbon : blue, irith white edftes.
Spider, 6, Lieutenant John O'lieilly (1), while working up the
Eiver Plate at night, was fired into by a French row-boat, her
leadsman being wounded. News of the affair was sent to the
senior officer on the station. Captain Thomas Herbert, of the Cal-
liope, 2(5, who at once demanded an explanation from the French
senior officer. It was shown that the offending boat had been at
the time without an officer on board ; and Herbert asked for an
inquiry into the conduct of the captain of the ship to which she
belonged, for suffering her to be ofticerless while on patrol duty.
The French admiral offered to write home for instructions, and, in
the meantime, volunteered to indemnify the wounded man. Herbert
refused the gratuity, answering : " The British Govennuent can
216 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1S16-1S56.
and will reward all who suffer in its service." ' A suitable ex-
pression of regret was eventually accepted.
The other occurrence took place at Port Louis, Mauritius. In
the harbour there la}' the British merchantman Greenlaw, Thomas
Driver," master, and the French warship Isere. On Satm'day,
September 7th, the Isere, when dressing ship, hoisted at her mizen
peak, uppermost, the French flag, then the flags of different nations,
and under all the St. George's ensign. Driver took upon himself
to resent this, and on the following morning, having converted his
telegraph flag into a French one, stopped it under his bowsprit. A
boat from the French ship went alongside him, and desired him
to haul it down. He refused. On the 9th, two officers from the
Frenchman challenged him. Driver considered that they were not
of sufficient rank to fight with him, but offered to meet a French
captain with pistols. Thereupon the French complained to the
Governor, Sir W. Nicola^', and asked that Driver should not only
apologise, but also make obeisance on the French quarter-deck.
After much correspondence. Driver apologised, and the obeisance
was then not insisted upon. It does not appear that the Governor
obliged the French captain also to apologise ; but it is satisfactorj-
to be able to add that the incident led to the adoption, by the navies
of all civilised Powers, of the principle that the flag of a friendly
nation shall never be displayed on board a man-of-wai' of another
nation in such a position as to possibly suggest that the strange flag
is in any wa}- inferior in value or dignity- to the flag of the ship.'
Flogging continued to be a frequently-awarded punishment in
the Navy, especially in ships which had been commissioned only
with difficulty, and which therefore contained numerous landsmen
of bad character. There were also still many severe, if not actually
brutal. Captains in the service.
" A week rarely passed at this period without some mnn receiving his three or four
dozen lashes at the gangway. The first time I witnessed corporal punishment I was
horror-struck, and, after the first minute or so, averted my eyes to avoid the ghastly
sight ; hut after a time I became so used to seeing what was called ' scratching a man's
hack,' that I could contemjilate the spectacle from beginning to end without shrinking.
The punishment of flogging was usually inflicted for crimes of insubordination or
' Hants Telegraph.
- Driver's bitterness may in part be attributed to the fact that he was a survivor
of the old French wars — in fact, a Master, H.X., of Sept. 7th, 1809. He returned to
active service in the Navy, and died on the eve of the Crimean war.
' Corr. in Kavt. Mag., Jan. 1840.
PUyiS/IMESTS. 217
druukeuness, more often for the hitter tlian for the former. It was undoubtedly a severe
one, as the discoloured, raw-bee f-liucd appearance of the victim's back attested ; but I
never saw any streams of blood or severe laceration of the flesh caused by any flogging
I have ever witnessed ; and I must have seen some hundreds in my day. That the
punishment was not considered degrading by the great majority of the men I am quite
certain. Indeed, the young and plucky ones used to consider it a feather in their caps
to be able to undergo their tlogging without uttering a cry, and advanced themselves
considerably in the estimation of their shipmates if they took their ' four bag ' like a
man. . . . There were no cells on board ship in the time I am writing of; and oft'ences
that are now punished by confinement for ten days or so in these dreadful little dens
were then expiated at the gangway in as many minutes." '
Punishments were sometimes as excentric as they were
frequent : —
" I have seen the whole of a boat's crew spread-eagled in the rigging for two or
three hours. Gags were often used." (This applies to a period subsequent to 184C.)
" I have seen a troublesome man confined in a little cage made of gratings, scarcely
bigger than himself, in which he could neither stand upright, scarcely sit, and not lie
down. I have seen the owner of a shore boat, detected in bringing spirits alongside,
hoisted up to the mainyard-arm in his boat, and left to dangle there for hours." -
But ships the commissioning of which did not involve anj'
particiilar difficulties, and which were manned for the most part
by people accustomed to discipline, were often, especially it com-
manded by first-rate officers, places in which the infliction of
corporal punishment was quite exceptional. H.M.S. Havannah, 19,
was commissioned in August, 1855, with a complement of 240
officers and men. Her commander was Captain Thomas Harvey (2),
an officer as well known for his high professional attainments as for
his tact and firmness. I have before me his logs and private
memoranda from August, 1855, to June, 1859 ; and from these it
appears that during the forty-seven months, only 14 men and 7 boys
were flogged in tlie ship. The total number of lashes inflicted was,
on the men, 600, and upon the boys, 336 ; and the greatest number
awarded to any culprit was four dozen, that being the limit for such
summary punishments, while the least nmnber was 30. It is
instiTictive to examine the causes which induced Captain Harvey to
act with this severity. Of the men, 3 were punished for having
been drunk and mutinous ; 3 for petty theft ; and 3 for having been
drunk while on sentry duty ; 1 had disposed of his kit and attempted
to desert; 1 had (Iniwii a kiiii'e on tiie sergeant of the guard; 1
had told the Master-at-Arms to " Go to hell " ; 1 lia<l used violence
' Sloano-Stunley, ' licmius.,' 283. The writer describes life in the Albion in 1852.
' 'At School and at Sea,' 214. The same book contains many otlicr examples of
excentric iwnishments.
218 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
and insolence to the first Lieutenant ; and 1 bad broken open and
used a case of brandy whicb bad been entrusted to bis cbarge. Of
the boys, 1 was flogged for steabng ; 1 for drunkenness and insirb-
ordination ; and 1 for disobedience and mutinous conduct ; and
4 were punished for having brought infamous charges without being
able to substantiate them. During the commission, which was
served in the Pacific, then a very attractive station for deserters,
only 37 men ran.
A few miscellaneous extracts illustrative of some social aspects
of the Navy in the period under review must end the chapter.
" I was sbortly ushered out of tlie cold into the presence of Mrs. Hunn and two
charming young Ladies. . . . We sailed from Portsmouth on April 12th, Mrs. Hunn
and my playfellows with us. . . . On June 5th, we arrived at Madeira . . . here our
Captain, his wife, children, and gig's Midshipman were entertained." ' — (H.M.S. Twied,
Captain Frederick Hunn, 182i.)
" Had to attend my Captain at a court-martial which caused an unusual sensa-
tion. . . . The prisoner was Captain of the Ariadne. He was tried for having
purchased a negro slave at Zanzibar, and taken her to sea. She mysteriously dis-
appeared oft' the coast of Africa. . . . He was dismissed the service."- — (Portsmouth,
Januar\', 1826.)
" AVe sailed on the lilth from Malta, having Mrs. and Miss Puckworth, the
Captain's family, Mrs. Mends, and Miss Stiloe on board." ^
" Powerful, Avoli, Gulf of Adramyti : June 10th, 1840.
" You will be surpirised to hear we have three ladies on board, gtiests of the Captain ;
and how they came here I must explain. You know there is an order by the Admiralty
that no Captain or officer shall take his wife to sea with him ; but it does not say that
he may not take anj- other person's wife ; so Mrs. the wife of the Captain of
the , having got tired of staying at Malta without ever seeing her husband, came
up to Smyrna ; and, as he could not take her on board of his own ship. Captain Kapier
kiudly oflered to take her in his, and got two English ladies of Smyrna to accompany
lier for the trip." *
"... there was no longer any necessity for me going to the Admiral's office
every morning — the Captain, with his wife and family, having taken up their
residence on board." '' — {Albion, Capt William James Hope .Johnstone, in Plymouth
Sound, 1850.)
" Presently the Captain came up, accompanied by hi.s wife and daughters, who made
their lirst appearance on deck after a considerable interval of confinement to the cabin." ''
— {Albion, Capt. W. J. Hope Johnstone, oft" Lisbon, Dec. 29th, 1850.)
" Lady , the Admiral's wife, who was living on board with her husband, had
taken up a position in the stern gallery to see the race, and her sensitive ears were so
1 Sir H. Keppel, ' Life,' i. 27, 33.
- Sir H. Keppel, 'Life,' i. 55, 56. But the officer in question, Captain Isham
Fleming Chapman, was restored to the service, from which he did not retire until 1846.
^ Mids. James Francis Ballard Wainwright, from the Eodneij, Capt. Hyde
Parker (3), May 27th, 1838. MS. in Author's collection.
* Letter of Lieut. Eobt. Hilley Elliot, in ' Life of Sir C. Xapier,' ii. 409.
5 Sloaue-Stanlev, ' Remins.,' 114. '' lb., 147.
SOCIAL ASFECrS OF XAVAL LIFE. 219
shocked by the vigorous Anglo-Saxon of our men, that slie beat a liasty retreat, and
made a formal complaint to her husband of the conduct of our boat's crew, which
resulted in the whole boafs crew being severely punished for giving way to their
feelings in the presence of a lady. The moral deduced from tliis in the gun-room was :
That ladies have no business on board ship."' — ;, Rear- Admiral J. W. U. Duudas, in
Britannia, at Port Mahon, May 24th, 1852.)
" It will scarcely be believed that fomiei-ly each man's daily allowance was half
a pint of rum mixed with three half pints of water, in two issues, at dinner and supper ;
which, on the introduction of tea and cocoa into the naval dietar}- — perliaps in the
thirties — was reduced to a quarter of a pint, one gill ; and again in 1850 to half that
quantity during dinner, supper grog, for very suiticient reasons, being entirely
abolished." -
The fashionable dining hour was earlier then than now : —
" These sea dinners were usually between three and four o'clock ; and, half an hour
or so before the time, the squadron would bring to, main-topsail to the mast, as the
saying is, and lower their lee quarter boats, and despatch their respective Captains to
the scene of the banquet on board the flagship." '
Supper in the gun-room was at half-past six. Afterwards the
seniors played cards there, and, at a certain hour, a fork was stuck
into one of the overhead beams, this being a signal for the youngsters
to withdraw, and leave the oldsters to their own devices. The
morality of the gun-room left much to be desired. There was much
drunkenness, and " orgies were of almost nightly occurrence." *
The Navy was still, as in the days of " Mad Montagu," a school
for excentrics : —
"Just before our arrival in the Arcldpelago, a distressing event occurred on board
a corvette, the Hind, conuuanded by Lord . His ship was anchored close to
the Greek camp at Salamis, and almost within sight of the Turkish stronghold of
Athens. He invited the Greek chiefs to an entertainment, and, being of a jovial turn,
the wine passed freely. He suddenly turned up the hands to make sail, and told the
Greeks that he was going to hand them over to their mortal enemies. They made a
rush on deck, which was full of their armed retainers, drew their yataghans, and set to
work to cut away all the ropes. The sailors were taken in a panic, and ran forward, so
that the Palikari had full possession of the ship, and made a wreck of the upper deck.
At length the Captain succeeded in persuading them that it was only a joke, and order
was restored ; but it cost him his career." He was ordered home, and was never
employed again. He became years afterwards equerry to the Duke of Sussex, who was
very fond of liiin, as, indeed, were all who knew him.""
' Sloane-Staidey, ' Remins.,' 282.
'^ ' At School and at Sea,' p. 82. See p. 208 antea.
^ Sloane-Stanley, ' Remins.,' 2f)l. The C. in C. was then (1853) U.-Adni. .1. \V. 1 ) .
IJundas.
* Sloane-Stanley, 'Remins.,' 111-lJ.!, 1 Hi.
" I think that Lord C. Paget was mistaken, and that tlie oflicer in question was
Lord Henry John Spencer Churchill, who was aiipointed to the Hind, April 2.")tli, 182;t,
posted August -Itli, 1820, a]i])oiiiti'd to tlie Tweed, May 18t)i, 1827, and died in comuiaud
of the Druid, June .'ird, 181(1.
« Adm. Lord C. Paget, ' Autobiog.,' 10.
220 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 1S16-185G.
Nothing, perhaps, better iUustrates the simple, self-sufficient,
self-reliant, and withal excentric character of the t3'pical British
Captain of the period than a story, the truth of Avhich has been
questioned, although without reason.
"I have often been asked," says Admiral Sir B. J. Sulivan,' "if it is true tliat a
Captain in the Eoyal Navy once made a Bisliop of his Chaplain ; and I have replied :
' Not only is it true, but the ship ^ I first served in as a Midshipman was the ship in
which it took place, though I joined her alterwards." Her last voyage had been to
take an African regiment to the first Ashantee war ; and she landed some officers and
men to share in the defence of Cape Coast Castle and the detached forts. On her
way home she touched at St. Michael's, one of the Azores. In Roman Catholic
countries, in which there were no Protestant cemeteries, their dead had to be buried
in gardens. The Protestants of St. Michael's had purchased a piece of ground about
half a mile outside the town, and had enclosed it by a wall. When the Thetis arrived,
a deputation called on Sir John Phillimore, and asked him to take two petitions home
for them — one to the Archbishop of Canterbviry, requesting him to send a Bishop to
consecrate their giound, and another to the First Lord of the Admiralty, asking him to
provide a ship to take out the Bishop. Sir J. Phillimore assured them that it was quite
unneces':ary, because his Chaplain would consecrate it for tliem. They replieil that it
must be a Bishop. He then said he would give his Chaplain an acting order as Bishop.
I have seen that ' acting order.' It ran as follows : ' You are hereby requested and
directed to take on yourself the office of Bishop of St. Michael's, for the purpose of
consecrating a Protestant cemetery; and for so doing this shall be your warrant.
Given under my hand, this — day of , 1824. (Signed) John Phillimore,
Captain ; N. Eoyse,' Chaplain, H.M.S. TVte/is.' The cemetery was thereupon ct^nsecrated
■with full naval honour."
The ship's band, sailors, and Marines attended; and the "Bishop,"
on landing, was saluted with nineteen guns.
And here is one version of the truth about the abolition of mast-
heading as a punishment for " young gentlemen " : —
"... Drummoud, a promising young Guardsman, was the cause of doing away
with the mast-heading of Midshijjmen. . . . One day at sea, Ingestrie sent a
Mid ... to say he wished to speak to Drummond, who was playing backgammon,
and delayed obeying the summons until he finished his game. When lie appeared,
Ingestrie told him that on board a man-of-war orders must be obeyed, and, in ioke,
said he would next time send him to the masthead. On which Drummond replied he
would see the Captain blowed first. Ingestrie liailed the maintop and ordered a hauling-
line to be sent down. . . . The story was talked about in Malta as an amusing
joke . . . but Lord Brougham put the question to Lord Auckland as to an 'outrage'
alleged to have been committed hy a Captain in the Navy. . . . Subsequently an order
was issued from the Admiralty prohibiting mastheading as a punishment."* — (H.M.S.
Tyiie, Captain Lord Ingestrie, 18.35.)
' ' Life and Letters,' 14.
^ Tlietis, 46, commanded by Sir John Phillimore, 1823-26.
^ Rev. Nathaniel T. Royse, Chaplain of Dec. 26th, 1823. He was subsequently in
the Forte and in the PuVaK, but served only for a few years, and then obtained a civil
appointment.
* Sir H. Kepi.el, ' Life," i. 176.
I
MASTHEADING. 221
The reform, however, was more apparent than real : —
" ' MiiBtheadiug' ul' Manyat's sort was abolislied in 18oiJ ; but we lived" (ca. 1850)
" under a distinction without a ditl'erence, for it was all the same to the Midshiinnau,
whether he was ordered up to the masthead ' till I call you down,' or to look out for
whales, wrecks, or volcanoes." '
' At School and at Sea,' L'42.
TUE VICTORIA CROSS.
(.Instituted by Ituijal Tfiirrant, Jan. 29th, 1850 : ni:ised April Tiid, 1881.)
Bronze : woin on a blue libton by the Navy, and on a red by the .\i'my.
( 222 )
CHAPTEE XLIV.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Commanders-in-Chief at home and abroad, 1815-1851! — The Mediterranean Pirates —
Bombardment of Algier, 181G — Corsairs in the Channel — Maxwell at Bocca Tigris
— And at Pulo Leat — Tlie slave-trade — Lumley at Mocha, 1820 — Collier in the
Persian Gulf — Piracy in the West Indies — Capture of the Zaragozana — Action
with the Tripoli — Blockade of Algier — The Naiad at Bona, 1824 — Phillimore at
Cape Coast Castle — The First Burmese War, 1824-26 — Aflairs of Greece —
Pirates at Psara and Candia — Irby and pirates — Treaty of London — The Battle of
Navariu, 1827 — Staines at Grabusa — Siege of Morea Castle — The Naval Adven-
turers— Cochrane in Chile, Brazil, and Greece — Capture of the Esmeralda — Sar-
torius — Napier — Battle of Cape St. Vincent — Pirates and slavers — Exploits of
Sherer, IM'Hardy, Downes, Butterfield, and Broughton — Blockade of Nanning —
Special service squadrons — Warren's prizes — Re-occupation of the Falkland Islands
■ — Capture of the pirate, Panda — Bolton's prizes — Blackwood and Chads in the
Canton river, 1834 — Vassall in the strait of Malacca — The first Kaffir War — The
Racehorse at Para — Bosanquet at Mozambique, etc. — Intervention against the
Carlists — Capture of the Jnven Carolina — Exploits of Milne — Drew in Canada —
Sandom on the Lakes — Capture of Aden — Capture of Kurrachee — The First
China War, 1839-42 — Operations on the Coast of Syria, 1840 — Bombard-
ment of St. Jean d'Acre — Disaster at Tongatabu — The squadron in Mexican
waters, 1838-39 — Capture of the Mercedita and Firme — Capture of Corisco —
Exploits of Stoll, Adams, and Milne — Denman at the Gallinas — Capture of the
fleet of Cartagena — The Souihainpton at Port Natal — Keppel and the Borneo
pirates — Cochrane in the Eastern Archipelago — Services of Mundy and Brooke —
Defeat of Sooloo pirates — The Comvay at Tamatave — War in the Parana,
1845-46 — Battle of Obligado — Operations in New Zealand, 1845-47 — The Nicar-
agua expedition — Services against pirates and slavers — Gallantry of Tottenham
and of Lodwick — The Felicidade — The Pantaloon and a slaver — Nicolson off
Cape Treforcas — The Siren at Stanchio — Afiair at Maranhao — The President at
Anjoxa — Chinese pirates — Exploits of the Scout and Columhine — Shap'n'gtzai —
Services of E. M. Lyons and AV. N. L. Lockyer — Hay and the pirates — Capture
of the Unaio — The pirates of the Seba river — The Moorish pirates — Case of the
Three Sisters, the Joven Emilia, and the Violet — Farquhar in the Sarebas — The
Lagos expeditions, 1851-52 — The Second Burmese War, 1852-53 — Case of the
Cathhert rou?*(/~0'Callaghan at Shanghai— Chinese pirates, 1854-56 — The War
with Russia, 1854-56 — Bombardment of Odessa — The fleets in the Black Sea —
Loss of the Ti<jer — Blockade of the Danube — Death of Hj'de Parker — Recon-
naissance of Sebastopol — Invasion of the Crimea — Napier to the Baltic — Cruise of
Plumridge — And of Yelverton — Reconnaissance of Kronstadt — Capture of Bomar-
sund — t)perations in the White Sea — Fiasco at Petrojiaulovski — The Alma — The
Naval Brigade in the Crimea — Bombardment of Sebastopol — Balaclava — The
1815-1856.]
COMMA yOEIi'S-IX- CHIEF.
223
hurricane of November, 185-1 — Inkcrraan — Defence of Eupatoria — The expedition
to the sea of Azof — Evacuation of tlie south side of Sebastopol — Russian ships
destroyed — Ke-eniliarkation of tlie Xaval Brigade — Expedition to Kiuburn — The
first ironclads — Operations in the White Sea — Operations in the Pacific — Massacre
at Hango Head — Torpedoes oft' Kronstadt — Raids in the Baltic — Attack on
Sweaborg — Concluding operations — Return of the fleets — Treaty and declaration
of Paris — The Review at Spithead.
STAR OK
'^ '^■'^■''' piu'poses of
Portsmouth.
Dec.
Apr.
28,
181.5.
Sir Edward Thornbrough,
K.C.B., Adm.
Jan.
May
15,
1818.
Sir George Campbell,
G.C.B., Adm.
Jan.
31,
1821.
Sir .James Hawkins AVhit-
shed, K.C.B., Adm.
Mar.
2G,
1821.
Sir George Martin, G.C.B.,
Adm.
Apr.
IT,
1827.
Hon. Sir Robert Stopfonl,
K.C.B., Adm.
Jan.
Apr.
23,
1830.
Sir Thomas Foley, G.C.B.,
Adm.
Sept
Jan.
23,
1833.
Sir Thomas Williams,
G.C.B., Adm.
Jan.
Mar.
28,
1836.
Sir Phili]! Charles Calder-
wood Henderson Dui-
hani, G.C.B., Adm.
Mar.
Apr.
I'-',
18311.
lion. Charles Elphinstone,
rieeming, Adm.
Apr.
Xov
22,
1839.
Sir Edward Codrington,
G.C.B.,(i.C.M.G.,Adm.
Apr.
Dec.
26
1812.
Sir Charles Rowley, Bart.,
G.C.B., Adm.
Apr
Sept
30,
1HI5.
Sir Charles Ogle, Bart.,
Adm.
Apr
Sept
13
1818.
Hon. Sir Thomas Bladen
Capell, K.C.B., Aihn.
Apr
Sept
13
1851
Sir 'I'bomas Brig^s,
G.C.M.G., Adm.
Apr
T)EFOEE entering upon the histor}'
of the- numerous naval operations
which were undertaken between 1815
and the close of the Eussian War, the
reader may be glad to have laid before
him in convenient form the following
list of the officers who held the principal
commands-in-chief at home and abroad
during that period. It will be useful for
18, 1852. Sir Thomas John Coch-
rane, K.C.B., Yice-
Adm.
1, 1856. Sir George Francis Sey-
mour, K.C.B., Vice-
Adm. (Adm., May 14.
1857).
Devontout.
3, 1815. Sir John Thomas Duck-
worth, Bart., K.B.,
Adm.
8, 1817. Viscount Exmouth,G.C.B.,
Adm.
25, 1821. Hon. Sir Alexander Inglis
. Coclu'aue, K.B., Adm.
2!, 182i. SirJamesSaumarez, Bart.,
K.B., Adui.
17, 1S27. \Villiam,EarlofNorthcsk,
K.B., Adm.
22, 1830. Sir Manley Dixon, K.C.B.,
Adm.
27, 1833. Sir William Hargood (1),
G.C.B., G.C.H., Adm.
27, 1836. Lord Amclius BeauclerU,
G.C.B., G.C.H., Adm.
2-1, 183S). SirGrahaniMnorc, G.C.B.,
G.C.M.G., Adm.
21, 1842. Sir David Milne, G.C.B.,
Adm.
224
Apr.
Apr.
A]ir.
Mav
MILITAItY HISTORY OF THE IWYAL SAYY, 1816-1856.
The Meditebraneax.
15, 1845. Sir John West, G.C.B.,
Adm.
17, 1848. Sir William Hall Gage,
Kt,, K.C.B., O.C.H.,
Adm.
17 1851. Sir .John Acworth Om-
manney, K.C.B., Adm.
1, 1854. Sir William Parker (2),
Bart., G.C.B., Adm.
The Xore.
1815. Sir Charles Rowley,
K.C.B., Rear- Adm.
1818. Sir Jolm Gore (2), K.C.B.,
Rear-Adm.
1815. Lord Esmouth, K.C.B.,
Adm.
1818. Sir Thomas Francis Fre-
mantle, G.C.B., Eear-
Adm. (Vice - Adm.,
Aug. 12, 1819).
1820. Sir Graham Moore,
K.C.B., Vice-Adni.
1823. Sir Harry Burrard Neale,
Bart., G.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
Xov. 1, 1826. Sir Edward Codrington,
K.C.B. (G.C.B. 1827),
Vice- Adm.
1821. Sir Benjamin Hallowell, June, 1828. Sir Pulteney Malcolm,
July
July
Aug.
Feb.
July
Dee.
Jan.
Apr.
Jlay
Jan.
July
2
been
K.C.B., Vice-Adm.
1824. Sir Eobert Moorsom,
K.G.B., Vice-Adm.
1827. Hon. Sir Henry Black-
wood, Bart., K.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
30, 1830. Sir John Poo Bereslord,
Bart., K.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
23, 1H33. Sir Richard King (2),
Bart., K.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
16, 1834. Hon. Charles Elphinstone
Fleeming, Vice-Adm.
23, 1837. Sir Robert Waller Otway
(1), Bart., K.C.B., A'ice-
Adm.
27, 1840. Sir Henry Digby, K.C.B.,
Vice - Adm. (Adm.,
Nov. 23, 1841).
' 8, 1841. Sir Edward Brace, K.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
13, 1844. Sir John Chambers White,
K.C.B., Vice-Adm.
18, 1845. Sir Edward Burnford
King, Kt., K.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
0, 1848. Hon. Geoi-ge Elliot (3),
C.B., Vice-Adm.
23, 1851. Hon. Josceline Percy,
C.B., Vice-Adm.
1, 1854. Hon. AVilliam Gordon,
Vice-Adm.
K.C.B., G.C.M.G. 1829,
Vice-Adm.
Mar. 30, 1831. Hon. Sir Henry Hotham,
G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Vice-
Adm.
May 3, 1833. Sir Pulteney Malcolm,
G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Vice-
Adm.
Dec. 18, 1833. Sir Josias Rowley, Bart.,
K.C.B., G.C.M.G., Vice-
Adm.
Feb. 9, 1837. Hon. Sir Robert Stopford,
G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Adm.
Oct. 14, 1841. Sir Ed ward William Camp-
bell Rich Owen, K.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
Feb. 27, 1845. Sir AVilliam Parker (2),
Bart., G.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
Jan. 17, 1852. James Whitley Deans
Dmidas, C.B., Rear and
Vice-Adm.
1854. Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart.,
G.C.B., Bear - Adm.'
(Vice-Adm. Mar. 19,
1857. Lord Lyons).
XoRTU America.
1815. Edward Griffith (later
Colpoys), Eear-Adm.
1817. Sir David Milne, K.C.B.,
Rear-Adm.-
With temp, rank of Admiral.
Sir David Milne was appointed to Xorth America on May 2, 1816, but had
permitted, before proceeding to his station, to take part in the Algerine expedition.
ztr^j^^tiM.y^ J<
^/.,/..y.£M..u/,yi/... .//j^
,^/^M,/tH^^^^ ^v/n^^n. t^fe^f^a/t,^/ ^1/^/4^' At^n^na^/. ^u- j^>S9»j9UM<**n^ ,.^^ A^J
1815-56.]
COMMA NDERS-IN- CHIEF.
225
1810. Edward Cii-iffith (later
C'olpoys), Hear -Acini.
(Vice-Adiii., Jvdy lii,
1821).
1821. William Charles Fahie,
C.B., Rear-Adm.
May 18, 1824. Willoughby Thomas Lake,
C.B., Rear-Adm. (Vice-
Adui., Jlay 27, 1825).
Apr. 27, 1827. Sir Charles Ogle, Bart.,
Rear-Adm.
Fel). 20, 1830. Sir Edward Griffith Col-
poys, K.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
1826. Sir Robert Waller Otway,
K.C.B., Rear-Adm.
•Jan. 9, 1829. Thomas Baker, C.B.
(K.C.B., 1831), Rear-
Adm.
Jan. 1, 1833. Sir Michael Seymour (1),
Bart., K.C.B., Rear-
Adm.
Sept. 16, 1834. Sir Graham Eden Ila-
mond, Bart., K.C.B.,
Rear - Adm. (Vice -
Adm., Jan. 10, 1837).
Sept. 4, 1837. Charles Bayne Hodgson
Ross, C.B., Rear-Adm.
Dec. 6, 1832. Rt. Hon. Sir George Cock- i May 5, 1841. Richard Thomas, Rear-
burn, G.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
Feb. 12, 1836. Sir Peter Halkett, Bart.,
Vice - Adm. (.\dni.,
Jan. 10, 1837).
Feb. 11, 1837. Hon. Sir Charles Paget,
Kt., Vice-Adm.
Mar. 22, 1839. Sir Thomas Harvey (1),
K.C'.B., Vice-Adm.
Aug. 17, 1841. Sir Charles Adam, K.C.B.,
A'ice-Adm.
Dec. 27, 1844. Sir Francis AVilli;im
Austen (1), K.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
Jan. 12, 1848. Thomas, Earl of Dun-
donald, G.C.B., Vice-
Adm.
Jan. 1.3, 1851. Sir George Francis Sey-
mour, Kt., G.C.B.,
Vice-Adm.
Nov. 23, 1853. Arthur Fanshawe, C.B.,
Rear-.Vdm.
Nov. 26 1856. Sir Houston Stewart,
G.C.B., Rear - Adm.
(Vice-Adm,, July 30,
1857).
The Pacific (tim, 1837, "South
America ").
1819. Sir Thomas Masterman
Hardy, K.C.B., Com-
modore.
1823. Sir George Eyre, K.C.B.,
l{ear-.\dni.
Adm.
May 14, 1844. Sir George Francis Sey-
mour, Kt., C.B., Rear-
Adm.
Aug. 25, 1847. Phipps Hornby, C.B.,
Rear-Adm.
Aug. 21, 1850. Fairfax Moresby, C.B.,
Rear-Adm.
Aug. 17, 1853. David Price, Rear-
Adm.
Nov. 25, 1854. Henry A\'illiam Bruce,
Rear-Adm.
The East Indies and China.'
1816. Sir Richard King (2),
Bart., K.C.B., Rear-
Adm.
1819. Hon. Sir Henry Black-
wood, Bart., K.C.B.,
Rear-Adm.
1822. Charles Grant, C.B., Com-
modore.
1825. Sir James Brisbane, Kt.,
t-'.P)., Commodore.
Dec. 13, 1825. William Hall Gage, Rear-
Adm.
Dec. 20, 1828. Sir Edward William
Campbell Rich Owen,
K C.B., Rear-Adm.
Dec. 16,1831. Sir John Gore(2), K.C.B.
Vice-.\dm.
May 30, 1834. Hon. Sir I'homas Bladen
Capcll, K.C.B., Rear-
Adm. (Vice - Adm.,
.Tan. 10, 1837).
' These were not separated until 1865.
VOL. VI.
226 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL XAVY, 1816-1856.
July 26, 1837. Sir Frederick Lewis Mait- Apr. 7, 1848. Sir Francis Augustus
land (2), K.C.B., Rear- Collier, Kt., C.B.,
Adin. Piear-Adm.
Feb. 13, 1840. lion. George Elliot (3), Jau. 14, 1850. Charles John Austen (1),
C.B., Rear-Adiu. C.B., Rear-Adm.
May 12, 1841. Sir William Parker (2), Dec. 6, 1852. Hon. Sir Fleetwood
K.C.B. (Ct.C.B., 1842, Broughton Reynolds
Bart,, 1844), Rear- Pellew, Kt., C.B.,
Adm. (Vice - Adm., Rear - Adm. (^'ice-
Nov. 23, 1841). Adm., Apr. 22, 1853).
1844. Sir Thomas John Coch- Jan. I'J, 1854. Sir James Stirling (1),
rane, Kt., C.B., Rear- Kt., Rear-Adm.
Adm. Feb. 18, 1856. Sir Michael Seymour (2),
June 24, 1846. Samuel Hood Inglefield,
C.B., Rear-Adm.
K.C.B., Rear-Adm.
During the colossal wars of which Europe was the scene
between 1793 and 181.5, the Moorish pirates, and particular!}'
those of Algier, carried on their depredations with comparative
impunity, although both St. Vincent and Nelson checked their
insolence on more than one occasion, and the American Commo-
dore, Stephen Decatur, read them a still sharper lesson immediately
after the conclusion of peace between Great Britain and the United
States. Much more, however, needed doing ; and in 1816, after
renewed outrages and vain negotiations, a formidable British ex-
pedition was organised to bring the Day of Algier to reason. Its
command was entrusted to Admiral Lord Exmouth, who sailed from
Plymouth with his fleet on July 28th, and who, on arriving at
Gibraltar on August 9th, found there a Dutch squadron, the com-
mander of which asked, and obtained, leave to co-operate with him
in the contemplated action.
On August 14th, after some delay caused by adverse winds, the
combined fleet weighed ; and on the 16th it was met by the Pro-
metheus, 16, Commander William Bateman Dashwood, from Algier,
with fugitives, and with the information that part of her crew, and
the British Consul had been detained by the Moors. Having to
beat to windward for some time, the fleet did not make Cape
Cazzina until the 26th, and did not sight Algier till the early
morning of the 27th, when it was very nearl_v calm. Demands
for the release of Christian slaves, repayment of money which had
been recently paid for the freeing of slaves, peace with the
Netherlands, and liberation of the imprisoned British Consul,
Mr. McDonell, and the PivmcfJtcus's people, were at once sent
1816.]
BOMBAliDMEXT OF ALGIER.
22v
in by Lieutenant Samuel Burgess,' while the fleet stood on slowly
with a light sea-breeze, and at length lay to about a mile from the
city. In the afternoon, Biu-gess returned without the reply which,
it had been promised, should be given in two hoiu-s. The Admiral
thereupon asked b}' signal whether all his ships were ready, and, the
affirmative flag being instantlj' hoisted by every vessel, he bore iip to
the attack with his fleet in an order which had been already pre-
scribed. The force thus pitted against the powerful defences of
Algier was as follows. The general position taken up by the various
ships will be described later.
k
Round
Ships.
^ .2
~
Commaudere.
First Lieutenants.
Shot
5 12
100 8
>
131
(Adm. Lord hxinoiith. UX'.li. (B.)I
ICapt. James Brisbane, C.B.
fired.
Quten CharlutU .
(Peter Richards (lst).«
{Frederick Thomas ^Uchell}•
( (2nd).«
4.462
Impregvable . .
98 50
160
fR.-Adm. David Milue (n.).=
Uapt. Edward Brace, C.B.
IJames Boyle Babington
{ (lst).» >
iRojier Hall (2nd).
6,730
Superb ....
74 8
84
Capt. Cbarles Elciiis.J
Philip Thicknesse Horn."
4.500
Minden ....
74 7
37
("apt. \ViIliam Paterson.^
Joseph Benjamin Howell.*'
4,710
Albioji ....
74 3
15
Capt. JobuC.».,ti..3
Robert Hay.«
4,110
Leander ....
50 17
UH
Capt. ICdward Chetbam, C.B.
Thomas Sanders. «
3,680
Severn ....
40 3
34
rCapt. Hon. Fieilerick William i
I Aylmer.3 )
Capt. Hon. .Anthony Maitland.»
James Davies.*
2,920
Glasgow. . . .
40 10
37
George M'Pherson.'i
3,000
Granicus . . .
36 10
42
Capt. AVilliam Knrlonp Wise.3
John l*ar.«on.'>
2,800
Jfebrus ....
36 4
15
Capt. Edmund I'almer. C.B.
/Edward HoUiugworth Dela->
1 fosse. 1 (
2.755
Heron ....
18 i —
Com. (jeoi-Re Bentliatu.*
Jtutine ....
18 j-
Com. .lames Mould.*
George BInrton.
Prometheus . . .
16 -
—
Com. William Bat'-man DasbwcHKl.
Charles Aubrey Antram.
Britomart . . .
11) —
Com. Robert Kiddell.
David John Dicksou.
Cordelia. . . .
10 —
Com. W ilUam Sargent.
liedzebub, lj4jml> .
8 —
—
Com. William Kcmiitbonie.i
George Pierce.
/Vtt/, bomb. . .
12 —
Com. Constantinc Kicliard Moorsora.
William Russell (3).
Ilecln, bomb . .
12 —
—
Com. AVilliam i'ophum.
George Vernon Jackson.
Ir^ental, bomb
(Explosion vessel).
12 2
17
Com. Hon. George James Perceval.
John Foreman.
— —
Lieut. Richard Howell Kleming.s
128
690
a trausport. a dl
patch vessel, gun-vessels, etc., with Royal Sappers and Jliiiers
and
Royal Rocket Corps.
1 1 1
V.-Ad. Baron Theod. Fred, van
N
Mdampu$ ,
i 40
3 1 15
{ Capellen.
Capt. A. W. De Man.
Frederica . .
40
— 5
Oipt. J. A. van der Straalen.
Diana . . .
40
0 22
Capt. I*etms ZiervogeL
Amttd . . .
40
4 6
Capt. \V. A. van der Hart.
1
Jfageraad . .
, 30
— 4
Capt. J. M. Polders.
\
J^ndracht . .
I 18
— —
Capt. .r. F. C. Wardenburg.
;
1 Viscount E.xmonth, Sept. 21st, Isui.
2 K.C.B., Sept. 21st, 1816.
> C.U., Sept. 2lBt, 1816.
' I'osl-Cuptain, Sept. IGth, IMO.
j ('ommander, .Sept. litii, lsl(>.
a Commander, Sept. IGtb, ltjl6.
The total iiuiulicr of guns in the Moorish batteries has been
estimated at upwards of lOUO, of which about 80 were on the north
side, where the shoalness of the water prevented any heavy vessel
from getting within range, about '220 on the mole, about 05 on the
' Coiimiaiiiler, Sept. Killi, l.sUi.
228 MILITABY HISTOBY OF THE IlOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
eastern sea front, and most of the rest in batteries on heights behind
the town, or in the environs. The guns were chiefly 32, "24, and
18-prs., but there were also some heavier pieces, and several enor-
mous mortars. In addition, there were in port four 44-gun frigates,
five large corvettes of from 24 to 30 guns, and between thirty and
forty ^ gun and mortar boats ; and the garrison consisted of at least
40,000 men.
At 2.35 P.M. the Queen Charlotte anchored with springs on her
cables, not more than fifty yards from the mole-head. She was
lashing herself to an Algerine brig which lay fast to the pier there,
when a shot was fired at her, followed by two shots aimed at other
vessels which were advancing to their stations. Exmouth humanely
waved to the crowds on shore to indicate that he was about to fire,
and then the flagship opened, the other ships of the fleet joining in
the fray as soon as their guns would bear. The general position
ultimately taken up bj' the larger vessels was, beginning from the
north, Impregnable, Albion, Minclen, Superb, and Queen Charlotte,
this portion of the line being roughly parallel with the external
contour of the mole ; and Leander, Severn, and Glasgou-, this
portion lying parallel with the coast in the neighbourhood of the
Fishmarket Battery. The line was continued to the southward by
the Dutch frigates Melampus, Diana, and Frederica, with the
Dageraad and Ainstel further out, and the Eendrucht under way.
The Hebrus and Granicus had been directed to make themselves
useful in situations where opportunity offered. The Hebrus finally
took station on the Queen Charlotte's port quarter, and the Granicus,
in an exposed, difficult, and highly honourable position, between the
flagship and the Sujjerb. The Mutine anchored on the port bow of
the Impregnable, the remaining sloops keeping, for the most part,
under way. The bombs stationed themselves about two thousand
yards north-east of the mole ; and in their neighbourhood were the
gim, mortar, and rocket boats of the fleet, fifty-five in number, under
Lieutenant Frederick Thomas Michell (actg. Commanderl, and
Lieutenants John Davies (3)^ and Thomas Eevans.^
The bombardment, which was of the fiercest character, rapidly
made its effects felt, everything exposed to the close fire of the ships
qitickly tumbling into ruin. At about 4 p.m. an Algerine frigate,
' Exmoutli's disp. in one jilace has " between 40 and 50."
^ Comuiander, Oct. 8tb, 1816, fur this service.
^ Commander, Oct. 16th, ] 816, for this service.
I
a;
o
§■
a
■c
<
fc
5^
«
tt
w
^
3
"S,
-J
c
<
t
O
^
H
1
>',
*
o
181G.] SUBMISSION OF THE DEY. 229
which was moored across the mole, was set on fire by the crew of
the flar;ship's barge, under Lieutenant Peter Eichards ; and, a Httle
later, she drifted out in flames, the Quern Charlotte shifting berth to
allow her to pass. A few minutes afterwards ^ the Impregnable sent
word that she had suffered very severely, and asked that a frigate
should be despatched to divert some of the enemy's fire from her.
The Glasgow was assigned to this service, but, owing to lack of
wind, she could not carry out her mission, and, in attempting to do
so, got herself terribly mauled. By about 7 p.m., however, the town,
arsenal, storehouses, and vessels within the mole, were bm-niug
briskly. Between 8 and 9 P.M., further damage and consternation
were caused by the explosion vessel which, under Lieutenant
Eichard Howell Fleming, accompanied by Commander Herbert
Brace Powell, a volunteer serving in the Imprcgnahle, was run on
shore near the battery northward of the lighthouse, and there blown
up soon after 9 p.m.
The engagement continued till about 10 o'clock, when, ammuni-
tion threatening to give out, and the hostile fire being nearly silenced,
the ships, by order, began to cut their cables and springs, and,
after hauHng and towing, to stand out before a light air which had
just sprung up. But not much before 2 a.m. on the 28th, had every
vessel come to out of reach of the guns of Algier, though not beyond
the bright glare which was thrown far to seaward by the blaze in
the bay.^ Immediately afterwards a very violent thunderstorm burst
upon the fleet. At daylight, Exmouth renewed his demands of the
previous morning ; and, at the same time, he made preparations for
reconnnencing the bombardment ; but tliey were needless. It was
.quickly made known that the terms would be acceded to. Con-
ferences were held, at some of wliieh Eear-Admiral Sir Charles
Vinicombe Penrose, who arrived in the later, 36, on the 29th, was
present ; and, in the end, 1083 Christian slaves were freed, a promise
was given to abolish slave making, 382,500 dollars, which had been
paid by Naples and Sardinia by way of ransom, were restored, an
indemnity of 3000 dollars, with an apology, was tendered to the
British Consul, and peace was made with the Netherlands.^ On
' " Aliovil sunset." E.xiiiouth's disp.
- KxiiKiuth to Croker, Aug. 28th, 181G {Gazette, p. 1790). Logs, esp. of Leumler,
Q. Chitrtutte, Impreynahk and Superh. Miilt*.' letters iu Nao. Chron., x.\xvi. 289 ami
291. Salame, ' Narr. of E.xpcd. to Algiers.'
' E.xniouth to Croker, Aug. 30th and Sept. Igt, ISlfi. Gazette notice of Sept. 28th,
181B.
230 MILITAnr IIISrOEY of the TtOTAL XAVY, 1S16-185G.
September 3rcl, at midnight, Exmouth -weighed to return home,
leaving the Prometheus to attend upon the reinstated Consul.
The numerical losses experienced by the ships engaged will be
found set forth in the table on p. 227. The officers killed in the
British fleet were :
Master's Mate- Thomas Howard (Siqierb); Assistant Surveyor Thomas Mends
(Albion); Midshipmen John Hawkins {ImpnunalUe), Robert C. Bowen {Superh), John
•Jardine {Alhioii), Richard Calthorp, — Lowdon, and P. G. Hanwell (Leander), Robert
Pratt {Granicus), and George H. A. Pococke {Hebrus); Captain of Marines James
Willson {Leander) ; Lieutenants of Marines George Baxter (Leander), and William
Moore Morgan, and William B.emiry (Granicus): and Lieutenant of Marine Artillery
John James Patrick Bissett (Infernal).
Among the officers wounded were :
Captains Charles Ekins, and John Coode ; and Lieutenants Frederick John Jolinston
(mortally), George Morrison King, and John Sampson Jago (actg.) (Queen Cliarloffe),
Philip Thicknesse Horn, John M'Doiigall (3), and George W. Gunning (actg.)
(Impregnable), Henry Walker (1), and John Stewart Dixon (Leander), Edmund
Williams Gilbert (Glast/oir), Henry Augustus Perkins (Granicits), and John Foreman
(Infernal).
None of the ships lost any spars, but several had their masts
badly injured ; and the hulls of the Impregnable and Leander were
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE BOMBAKDMEST OF ALGIEB, 1816.
(From on original, lent hij HJi.H. Prince Luuis of Baitenhcrg, G.C.B., Copt. li.X.)
very severely mauled, that of the former being said to have received
233 large shot. Estimates of the losses suffered by the Algerines
put the number killed and wounded at from 4000 to nearly 7000.
The principal honours granted in recognition of the victory, and
some of the consequent promotions, are set forth in the table on
p. 227. The behaviour of the Dutch contingent is reported to have
been admirable.
1816.] MAXWELL IX THE CANTON JRIVEI!. 231
It is impossible to believe that the fortifications, guns, and
gunners of Algier in 1816 can have been at all up to the European
standard of that age, or even that the defences were of quality as
good as those which Duckworth had had to encounter iu the Dar-
danelles in 1807. To have placed comparatively few heavy ships,
such as Exmouth had, in close conflict with first-rate works,
mounting several hundred good guns, and manned by experienced
gunners, would have been little short of madness. Had the de-
fences been really as powerful as a mere paper summary of them
suggests, a larger force would have been sent to reduce them. It is
certain, however, that the Algerines fought with far greater skill
than had been expected, that the action was an exceptional!}* hot
one, and that the success gained was not easily won. For the
manner in which the operations were conducted, Exmouth richly
deserved his advancement in the peerage.
Only international considerations had prevented the adoption of
much stronger measures against the piratical states of the Mediter-
ranean. Algier bad once been a British possession ; and in 1816
many Englishmen were of opinion that it must again become one
ere the evils of which it was the centre could be put an end to.
That these views were not without some justification is evident from
the fact that within a few months of Exmouth's lesson to the Alge-
rines, the Dey had begun to restore his fortresses and to re-create
his navy, and that two Tunisian pirates captured a Hamburg vessel,
the Ocean, in the North Sea, and were chased in vain by the Gany-
mede, 26, Captain William M'Culloch. The prize was, however,
eventually retaken by the Alert, 18, Commander John Smith (6), in.
May, 1817. The corsairs were then solemnly warned, and escorted
clear of the Channel. " Further," says the rij/iitoiifJi Ti-Jcgraph of
that day, " our government cannot go." '
It was at about the same time that another semi-civilised state
received from Great Britain its first serious lecture on the subject of
international courtesy. In 1815, Lord Amherst's famous embassy
to China was decided itpon. The mission, which sailed in February,
1816, was escorted by the Alceste, 46, Captain Murray Maxwell, C.]^.,
and Li/ra, 10, Commander Basil U\i\\. During Lord Amherst's pre-
sence on Chinese soil. Maxwell occupied part of his time in carrying
out some very useful surveys. When, on November 2nd, 1816, he
anchored off the island of Lin-tin, he learnt that the Ambassador had
' Marshall, ' Xav. Biog.,' Add. to Suin.., I'l. IF., 117; Nau. Citron., 435, 511.
232 MILITABY JILSTOIir OF THE liOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
been dismissed in disgrace, and that the British Government's pre-
sents to the Emperor had been contumehously refused. He desired
a pass to enable him to proceed up the Canton Eiver, where he
wished to effect some necessary repairs. Insults and evasions were
the sole answers vouchsafed to him, and he therefore determined to
run lip without permission. At Bocca Tigris he was informed that,
if he advanced, he would be instantly sunk. This was in the evening
of November 13th. The river is there about as wide as the Thames
at London, but the banks are high, and they were then guarded
by works which with those on Wangtong Island, mounted 110
guns. Above, off Chuenpee, was a line of small war junks. As
the Alceste did not bring to, some blank cartridges were fired at
her. Maxwell feigned to regard the firing as a salute, and, as such,
returned it. He then anchored, and, on the following morning,
weighed again and passed the junks.
Immediately afterwards, both junks and forts opened with shotted
guns. Maxwell, who, owing to the lightness of the breeze, was
obliged to anchor again, i-eturned only a single shot, aimed at the
Chinese admiral, and considerately fired it himself, so that, in case
of the enemy demanding the man who had fired, he might take all
the responsibilitJ^ Either the shot, or the fact that the frigate had
anchored, satisfied the Chinese for the moment ; but when, in the
evening, the Alceste weighed once more to run higher up, she was
greeted with a heavy yet ill-directed fire from both banks. Maxwell
returned it coolly, until, getting within half pistol shot of the largest
battery, he delivered an entire broadside, which silenced that work.
The effect of this was that resistance presently ceased, and that, by
daylight on the 15th, the ^ Zees ^e found herself in a secure anchorage,
with no one hurt, and only a couple of shot in her hull. No further
insult was offered to the flag, and all responsibility for the affair was
afterwards disavowed by the Chinese authorities, who, when Mas-
well reached Whampoa, congratulated him effusively. Lord Am-
herst safely re-embarked in the river, and quitted it without further
incident, but was unfortunately wrecked, on February 18th, 1817, on
a reef near Pulo Leat, in the Strait of Gaspar. The Ambassador
was enabled to reached Batavia almost immediately. Maxwell,
having landed with the greater part of his officers and crew on Pulo
Leat, there fortified himself against the Malays, who burnt the
remains of the wreck on February ■2'2nd. In face of several attacks,
he maintained himself, until, on March 3rd, he was reheved by
1820.] LUMLEY AT MOCUA. 233
the Company's cruiser, Tenia te, which conveyed the whole party
to Batavia.^
Such further active operations as were undertaken hy the Navy,
prior to the outbreak of the first Burmese War, were all necessitated
by the depredations of pirates and slavers,^ or by the tyi'anny of
petty potentates. Several of the actions are worth i-ecaUing.
In 18'20, in order to obtain redress for injuries inflicted on British
subjects by the luiaum of Sanaa, in whose territories Mocha lay, an
expedition, consisting of the Topaze, 46, Captain John Eichard
Lumley, several of the East India Company's cruisers, and a bomb
vessel, was sent by Eear-Admiral Sir Eichard King (2), Bart., who
commanded on the East India station ; and, although not without
serious loss, it succeeded at length in placing the relations between
the British and the local authorities on a satisfactory footing. The
expedition arrived off Mocha on December 3rd, and on the 4th, sup-
posing the north fort to have been abandoned, Lumley attempted
to take possession and destroy it. Unfortunately, however, it
proved to be held in force, and the landing party was driven back
with considerable loss. On the 5th, negotiations took i)lace; but the
repulse of the British led the Dolah to presume too long upon their
patience ; and on the 26th, fire was opened on the north fort, which,
in a few hours, was breached, taken, and blown up. Further nego-
tiations leading to no satisfactory results, the south fort was similarly
treated on the 30th. Thereupon the local authorities submitted ;
and, on January 15th, 1821, copies of a treaty which had been
drawn up on behalf of the Company, were returned, duly signed,
to Captain Lmuley. During the two bombardments, the Topaze
expended upwards of 3500 shot. Her loss consisted of Lieutenant
Eobert Gordon Atkinson, E.M., Master's Mate C. P. Gill, Midship-
' Hall, 'Voyage to Corca'; Ellis, ' Journal ' ; Abel, 'Narrative'; M'Cleod, 'Voyage
of Alcest,:'; Mills, of C. M., Aug., 1817; Marshall, ii. 805.
' Slave-dealing by British subjects had been abolislied by the Act of March li.'itli,
1807, as from January 1st, 1808. In 1811 the oftence had been made punishable by
transportation for fourteen years. In 1824 it was declared to be piracy, and made
punishable with death. In 1837 the punishment was reduced to transportation for
]ife. France agreed in 1816 to abandon the slave trade: Spain and Portugal had
already, in 1814, agreed to abandon it north of the equator; and they formally
abandoned it altogether, the one in 1817, the other in 182.'5. Brazil likewise gave it
up under the treaties of 182G and 1830. Yet the trade was secretly prosecuted. The
year IB.!.'! saw the complete emancipation of slaves in all British colonies. 'I'ho
numerous seizures of slavers were made, for the most [lart, under various treaties which
gave to the naval powers a right of searching for slaves, of capturing and confiscating
vesBels engaged in the traffic, and of punishing participants in the illegal business.
234 MILITAIIY HISTOBY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
man Francis S. Burnett, and 5 seamen and Marines killed, and 20
people, including Lieutenants William Moriarty and Charles Mayson
Moncrieffe "Wright, wounded/
A similar expedition had been undertaken against the pirates of
Bas-al-Khyma, in the Persian Gulf, in 1819, by a military force
accompanied by a naval contingent under Captain Francis Augustus
Collier, in the Liverpool, 50. The works were taken and destroyed,
and all the piratical vessels in port were burnt or sunk. In these
operations the Eden, 26, Captain Francis Erskine Loch, and Curlew,
18, Commander William Walpole, participated. -
In the West Indies, where Eear-Admiral Sir Charles Eowley
commanded, piracy, often more or less intimately connected with
slave trading, flourished exceedingly, the principal offenders being
scomidrels of Spanish extraction. Eowley determined to put this
down, if possible, and, to that end, sent the Tyne, 26, Captain
William Mackenzie Godfrej', to ciiiise on the north coast of Cuba,
where many of the pirates had their headquarters. Attached to the
Tijiic, as tender, was the small hired sloop, Eliza, mounting a 12-pr.
carronade, and having on board Midshipman George White (la),
and 24 men, the whole under the command of Mr. Hugh Nurse,
Mate. On September 30th, 1822, when the Eliza lay at anchor off
Guajara, she was approached by a suspicious schooner, which proved
to be the Diableto, 6, and a felucca, which proved to be the Firme
Union, 5. Nurse, who had promptly prepared to slip and make sail
to close, was attacked at about 8.30 p.m. by the schooner. He
returned the fire from his only gun, loaded with round and grape,
and mauled the enemy so severely that the felucca endeavoured to
place herself between the combatants, and to shelter her friend.
The mancBUvres resulted in the Eliza and the Firme Union running
nearly alongside one another. Nurse instantly boarded, and, in five
minutes, having killed 10 of the pirates, and driven overboard most
of the rest, about 27 in number, was master of the vessel. On the
British side, 2 seamen were killed, and the gallant Nurse, ^ and
6 men severely wounded. On the following day an effort was
made to follow the schooner, which had got away dm-ing the dark-
ness, but, unfortunately, she could not be found. ^
■ Marshall, iv. Pt. II., 113; Gazette, 1821. pp. 939, 2029.
2 Brentou, v. 265 ; OazetU,'\9,20, p. 1670.
^ Nurse was made a Lieutenant, Dec. 5tli, 1822, and a Commander, .Jan. 26tli,
1828. He died a Captain in 1841.
» Marshall, iv. Pt. IT., 263 ; James, vi. (1837) 390.
1823.] CAPTOIiE OF THE "ZAIiAGOZANA." 235
A little later, Captaiu John Edward Walcott took comiuaud
of the Ti/ne, and, with the TJtracian, 18, Commander John Walter
Roberts, under his orders, began a careful and systematic examina-
tion of the numerous creeks and inlets along the Old Bahama
Channel. On March "iHth, 18'28, he learnt from an American
pilot-boat that a famous pirate schooner, the Zaragozana, of 120
tons, and between 70 and 80 men, was in his neighbourhood. She
was commanded by a desperado named Cayatano Aragonez, and
mounted a long 18-pr. swivel, four long 9-prs., and eight small
swivels. The leader, some of whose people had been hanged at
Jamaica not long before, had caused his crew to swear never to
spare an EngHshman's life, and to blow up their ship rather than
be taken. To set a seal upon this bloodthirsty compact, the mis-
creants had immediately afterwards tortured and murdered their
cook, a negro belonging to Jamaica. Walcott and Eoberts sighted
their quarry on the 31st, off Baracoa, and, in order not to alarm
her, disguised their craft as merchant vessels. Ere, however, they
could get near her, the Zaragozana detected them, and crowded
sail for the harbour of Mata. The British chased until 1.30 p.m.,
by which time the pirate had anchored in her port, and had moored
head and stern, with her broadside across its entrance. She had
also landed some men at the harbour's mouth, so that they might
enfilade any attack from seaward. The British got out their
boats, which, as they neared the enemy, were fired at. Undeterred,
nevertheless, by the danger to which they were exposed, their
crews pushed on for more than three quarters of an hour, using
their carronades and musketry, and at length boarding under a
storm of grape and small arms. Twenty-eight pirates, including
the chief, were taken, and were subsequently hanged. Ten others
were killed. The rest escaped.^ This little action was a most
heroic one, but was happily accomplished without very severe loss,
only one man being killed, and five wounded, on the British side.
In his report. Captain Walcott particularly praised the conduct of
Lieutenant Amos Plymsell, first of the Thrackiit, who was second
in command of the boats. -
As had been suspected at the tinu^ in iMiglaiul, the lesson given
in 1816 to the Dey of Algier had not been sufficiently severe to be
' Probably, however, some of these were drowned, ati<l, certainly sixteen of tliein
were afterwards captured by the Governor of Baracoa.
" Walcott to Kowley, in Marshall, Supp., Pt. IV., 302; O'Byme, 1231.
236 MILITATlY IIISTOBY OF THE BOTAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
lasting. After allowing his subjects to commit nimierous outrages
on the high seas, His Highness filled up the measure of his
iniquities by again violating the sanctity of the British Consulate,
and by seizing the persons of two consular servants. To remon-
strate against these proceedings, the Naiad, 46, Captain the Hon.
Sir Robert Cavendish Spencer, accompanied by the Cameleon, 12,
Commander James Eyder Burton, was sent to Algier, off which
place she arrived in January, 1824. He found in the harbour two
Spanish vessels, which had been recently captured by one of the
Dey's cruisers. Spencer added a demand for the release of their
crews to the other claims which he had been instructed to make
against the Moorish government ; but, getting no satisfactory reply,
he took on board the British Consul and his family, and, on the 31st,
worked out of the bay. While the Naiad and Cayneleon were still
beating out, the latter sighted to windward a sail, which presentlj'
proved to be the Algerine corvette Tripoli, 20, the same which had
captured the Spanish vessels. The Naiad, hoisting her colours,
fired a shot across the stranger's bows. The stranger replied with
a shot directed at the Naiad. Both British vessels at once went
in chase, endeavouring especially to cut off the corsair from the
mole. The Naiad was the better sailer, and, at length, passed
ahead of the Tripoli, firing into her and reducing her to a wreck.
The Cameleon was their close under the enemy's lee, and had
suffered somewhat from the shot of the Naiad, as well as from
the broadsides of the pirate. Spencer, deeming that he had suffi-
ciently punished the foe, stood out to sea, and made the signal
of recall to the Cameleon. Burton, however, chose to disregard it,
and, after some manoeuvring, most gallantly ran the Algerine on
board, and, at the head of his men, only 45 all told in nmnber,
drove her 150 people below. He was then about to take the Tripoli
in tow, when Spencer, who had wore round, passed within hail, and
ordered him to abandoir the prize.
The Tripoli was, of com'se, a thoroughly beaten ship when she
was boarded. The disparity of numbers opposed to him might well,
nevertheless, have deterred Burton from risking a hand to hand
conflict ; and high credit must be assigned to him for his braver}-.
He was deserved!}' promoted on February 23rd following.
After this affair the Algerian coast was for some time blockaded
by the ships of Yice-Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Neale ; and,
during the blockade, the Naiad's boats, under Lieutenants Michael
1824.] DEFESCE OF CAPE COAST CASTLE. 237
Quin/ Thomas Dilke, and George Svans, very creditably destroyed
an Algerine brig of war under the fortress of Bona, on the night
of May 28rd, 1B24. The brig was pierced for 16 guns, and was
moored head and stern, protected by a 40-gun battery only eighty
feet from her, but her guns, and probably most of her people, were
in the defences on shore, where were also about 400 soldiers.
Nevertheless, the vessel was burnt as she lay, and the assailants
got off with nothing worse than a few contusions."
A squadron was afterwards assembled with the object of once
more bombarding Algier ; but the Dey gave way in time ; and,
when His Highness had signified his readiness to come to terms,
Sir Harry Burrard Neale left Sir Kobert Cavendish Spencer to make
final arrangements and to conclude the treaty.
In the course of the same year distm'bances broke out on the
West Coast of Africa ; and the Thetis, 46, Captain Sir John
Philhmore, C.B., was despatched to Cape Coast Castle, with a
detachment of the Eoyal African Corps, and supplies. From
July 4th to July 11th, 18'24, when the enemj- was finally defeated,
the people of the Thetis, and of the Swinger, I'l, co-operated in
the defence of the place against the Ashantees. Among the officers
who chiefly distinguished themselves during the operations were
Lieutenants Andrew Drew and William Cotesworth, the former
of whom was promoted on October 19th following.^
Irritation at the presence and growing power of the British in
India ; hatred of foreigners ; ignorance of Britain's resources ; and
greed of the wealth to be obtained by the plunder of British
factories, were the impelling causes which brought about the first
Burmese war. Numerous aggressions had l)een committed upon
the frontier of the East India Company's territories ; and at the
beginning of 1824 it was decided to suffer such insults no longer,
but to attack the offenders. Two divisions of troops were accord-
ingly embarked, one at Calcutta and the other at Madras, and
placed under the orders of General Sir Archibald Campbell ; and
the assistance of the Navy was sought. The squadron in East
Indian waters was then under the command of Commodore Charles
Grant, C.B., who directed the Lariic, 20, Conmiander Frederick
Marryat, and the S(>/>lilr, IS, Conniiander George Frederick
' Promoted, Oct. otii, 1824.
'' Spencer to Ncalc, !^^ay 24tli, 1824, in Omttle.
3 Marshall, Supp., I't. I., 249; O'Byrne, 232, 30G.
238 MILITAUr HISTORY OF THE UOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856
Eyves (2), to accompany the expedition. At Mariyat's request,
the httle paddle steamer Diana, the first ever seen in India, was
purchased, and added to the force.
Most of the transports made their rendezvovis at Port Corn-
wallis, in the Andaman Islands, by May '2nd. The Liffeij, 50,
Commodore Grant, Slaneij, 20, Commander Charles Mitchell, and
four of the Company's cruisers under Captain Henry Hardy,
(Bombay Marine), together with numerous small craft, also joined
at various times. On May 5th the expedition proceeded, a division
under Brigadier Michael M'Creagh, escorted by the Slaney, being
presently detached against Cheduba Island, another detachment,
under Major Wahab, going to Negrais, and the main body
anchoring within the bar of the Eangoon Eiver on May 10th.
The total strength of the military force embarked at the beginning
of the campaign was 8701 ofiicers and men, of whom 4077 were
British.
At that time the numerous waterways were practically the onlj'
roads existing in Burmah ; and the chief waterway in the coimtry
to be attacked was the Irawadi, of which the Eangoon river forms
one of the mouths. Eangoon itself is about twenty-eight miles
from the sea, the stream opposite it having a maximum width of
about 700 yards. The town was fortified by means of palisades
and embankments ; and near the river gate was a battery of fourteen
guns. Just before the arrival of the expedition the governor had
thrown the British residents into prison.
On May 11th, the Lame, followed by the Li fey, led the way
up the river; and, at about 2 p.m., the squadron anchored abreast
of the battery, which fired a few ill-directed shot at the Liffeij,
but was silenced in a few miuiites. While preparations were
being made to land troops, the battery again opened, and was
again easily reduced to silence. The troops were then landed, and
the town, which had been deserted, was occupied without the
slightest resistance. Marshall believes that the British flag was
first hoisted in Eangoon by Lieutenant Samuel Thornton, of the
Liffey. On May 16th, a party of troops, accompanied by the
boats of the Liffey, under Lieutenant James Wilkinson, attacked
and carried three stockaded posts higher up the river, near Kem-
mendale, with a loss to the Navy of Wilkinson and nine men
wounded, and to the army of two kiUed and nine wounded.
The facility with which these operations were carried out seems
240 MILITATIY IIISTOIIY OF THE ROYAL XAYY, 181G-1856.
to have led the Indian authorities to underrate the quahtj' of the
resistance which the Burmese wei'e prepared to offer to a further
advance. Commodore Grant, on account of a severe ilhiess which
terminated his hfe on Jiily •25th, departed in the Liffeij for Penang
on May 31st, and left the naval command in the Irawadi to Captain
Marryat. Sir Archibald Campbell, and probably the naval chiefs
also, had fully represented the difficulties of the country and the
deteiTnined temper of the natives ; but the expedition was not
promptly reinforced as it should have been. M'Creagh and Wahab,
however, after having successfully executed their missions, joined
the military commander-in-chief. The Slaneij, in the course of
the operations at Cheduba, where she remained, lost one Eo}'al
Marine killed, and Lieutenant Henry Bathurst Matthews and four
men wounded.
While at Kangoon, Campbell, on June 10th, sent a force which
attacked and carried a stockaded post near Kemmendine, whence
fire-rafts had been floated down upon the British craft in the river
below. On July 1st he dispersed a Burmese command in the
same neighbourhood, the boats of the squadron co-operating ; and
on July 8th he despatched a division against the enemy at Kum-
meroot, while he himself, with 800 men, and the assistance of the
small craft and boats of the squadron, attacked the same body of
the enemy from the river above Kemmendine. Marryat was too
ill to take an active part in this affair, the naval conduct of which
he entrusted to Lieutenant Thomas Fraser, of the Lame. It was
completely successful, ten stockades being carried, 800 Burmese
killed, and 38 guns captured. Tbe naval loss was only 11 men
wounded.
In the meantime both the troops and the seamen had begun
to suffer very severely from cholera, and other diseases incidental
to a wet and hot climate ; and the Sophie had been despatched to
Calcutta to obtain additional seamen by entering or impressment,
and to procure stores ; while the Burmese leaders, conscious that
the climate was their best ally, refrained for a space from hostilities
on any important scale, and concentrated the bulk of their army
at Donoobew, about 60 miles north of Eangoon. Marryat, in the
Lame, had to drop down the river on July 18th, to recruit the
health of his sorely tried ship's company ; but he was able to
return on the '27th, when he found that, diuing his absence, his
first Lieutenant, William Burdett Dobson, who had been left
I
1824.] OPEllATIONS IN THE DALLA HIVEIi. 241
lichiud, had led a useful reconnaissance up Puzendown Creek.
The same officer subsequently captured thirty-five deeply-laden
cargo boats.
Ill August an expedition mainly military, but accompanied by
a few gunboats, was detached from Eangoon to Tenasserim, where
it presently captured and occupied Tavoy and Mergui ; but for
some time, owing to the immense difficulties of the country and
climate, the operations in the direction of Ava made very little
progress. Continual fighting, however, went on. Campbell and
Marryat made a successful raid up the Syriam river in the first
week in August ; and in the second week of the same month a com-
posite force sent up the Dalla river under Lieut.-Colonel H. M. Kelly
and Lieutenant Thomas Fraser, K.N., behaved magnificently, in
spite of the cowardice of the Bengali boatmen who formed part
of the crews of the small craft. Among the naval officers who
most distinguished themselves were Lieutenant Fraser, and Messrs.
Robert Atherton, John Duffill, George Winsor, and John Henr}'
Norcock. Late in the month the Dalla natives reoccupied some
of their positions, and, on September 2nd, were attacked by
Marryat, with two mortar-boats and several gunboats, and Major
Eichard Lacy Evans, of the Madras army. That night a strong
stockade which commanded the creek leading up to Thontai, the
capital of the province of Dalla, was captured ; but three days
afterwards the Burmese, perceiving the importance of the position,
made a desperate effort to retake it, with about 1800 men and a
number of large war boats. The people on shore, and the Kittij,
gun brig, were very sorely pressed, when Marryat, with a division
of boats, relieved them, and drove off the enemy. In these affairs
Lieutenant Thomas Fraser, Messrs. Henry Hodder, John Dul'lill,
and Alexander Cranley, R.N., and Eobert Crawfurd, Bombay
Marine, gained honourable mention for their conduct, and Marryat
evoked the highest praise from Evans.
By that time sickness had made frightful ravages ashore as
well as afloat. The European part of the army fit for service did
not exceed 1500 men ; about 750 British soldiers had died of
disease ; the Sophie, 18, which returned to Eangoon on September
4th, had buried a quarter of her crew ; and scurvy and other
maladies were so rampant in the Lame, that only 27 of her original
crew remained, and Marryat had to obtain permission to take her
to Penang to recruit the health of the survivors. He left behind
VOL. VI. R
242 MILITARY BIS TOBY OF THE llOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
him Lieutenant William Burdett Dobson, and a few men, in charge
of the armed transport Satellite.
The death of Commodore Grant left Captain Thomas Coe, then
of the Tees, 26, senior officer on the East India station. Coe
assumed command of the Liffeij, and promoted Marryat into the
Tees. After Marryat's departure, Commander Henry Ducie Chads,
in the Arachne, 18, who arrived off the bar on September 11th,
took naval command in the Eangoon river. The Arachne had
been sent from England to relieve the Sopliie ; but, looking to
the state of affairs. Chads, who found her at Rangoon, took the
responsibility of ordering her to remain.
Operations were renewed on September 19th, when Sir Archibald
Campbell began a movement up the river upon a place called
Panlang. The expedition, which was entrusted to Brig.-General
Hugh Eraser and Commander Chads, returned to Eangoon on
the 27th, having defeated the enemy, taken several stockades, and
captured a nimiber of guns. The transport Satellite, the steamer
Diiuia, all the boats of the Arachne and Soj^hie, and many small
craft, co-operated in these proceedings ; and Eraser's dispatch made
special mention of Chads, Lieutenants Charles Keele, and John
Bazeh' (3), and Messrs. Stephen Joshua Lett, and George Winsor,
R.N. The little steamer rendered great assistance.
Another joint expedition, under Chads and Major Thomas
Evans, captured Than-ta-Bain, about thirty miles from Eangoon,
on October 7th. Among the naval officers mentioned for their
services on that occasion were Lieutenants Augustus Henry Kellett,
George Goldfinch (actg.), and William Biu'dett Dobson, and
Mr. George Wmsor, of the Sophie, who had charge of the Diana.
Yet another joint expedition was despatched, imder Lieut. -Colonel
Henry Godwin and Lieutenant Charles Keele, E.N., against
Martaban, a strong place at the mouth of the Salween, a hundred
miles eastward of Eangoon. Martaban was reached on October
27th, and Keele at once destroyed about thirty of the enemy's
war boats. On the 30th, the stockade was very gallantly stormed,
Keele being one of the first to enter it. The total British loss
w'as only 7 (including 2 seamen) killed and 14 (including 4 seamen)
wounded ; but the success was of great importance, for, with
Martaban, 16 gmis, 600 smaller firearms, huge quantities of
ammunition, a powder factory, and various stores fell into British
hands, and the H. E. I. Co.'s gim-vessel Phaeton, which had put
1824.] THE DEFESCE OF EEMMENDIXE. 2-43
into Martaban by mistake, and had been seized, was retaken.
Her crew was found in irons. Her commander had been carried
prisoner to Ava. In addition to Lieutenant Keele, Lieutenant John
Bazely (3), and ^Ir. Lett, E.N., were highly praised in dispatches.
By the fall of Martaban, the previous captm-e of Tavoy and
Mergui, and the subsequent submission of Yeh and other places,
control was obtained of the whole coast of Tenasserim, with its
valuable hinterland. Large stores of grain also became accessible.
Little was done during November ; but, in the course of that
month, the health of the troops and seamen in the Eangoon river
greatly improved. The temporary relaxation of British activity
may have suggested to the enemy that the moment was favourable
for a grand attack on the positions which had been won by the
invaders ; for, towards the end of the month, the main Burmese
arm}-, which, as has been already noticed, had concentrated at
Donoobew, descended the river, heralding its approach by floating
down scores of fire-rafts and masses of blazing timber. Commander
George Frederick Eyves (2), who, in the Sophie, was stationed near
Kemmendine, pluckilj' kept his post, and disposed of many of these
dangers as they arrived abreast of him ; but the risks of the
situation induced Eichard E. Goodridge, of the Company's cruiser
Teifjnmoiifli, to shp his cable, and to move down stream, until he
was ordered 1)ack by Eyves. The great attack on Kemmendine
was made on December 1st. At the moment Eyves was senior
naval officer, Chads having led a reconnoitring party to Pegu and
being still aljsent. Eyves made what he held to be the best dis-
positions, and, though he had to take station below the threatened
point, co-operated with the army, until the return of Chads, on
the morning of December '2n(l. In the interval, fighting was
furious, and the fort was sorely pressed, wlien there came up the
river to its assistance Lieutenant Kellett and Midshipman Valentine
Pickey, followed soon afterwards by Midshipman William Coyde.
These had with them boats and men detached by Chads within
a few minutes of his arrival at Eangoon. The timely reinforce-
ment probably saved Kemmendine. In the afternoon. Chads also
moved up the Sophie and three gunboats, and ordered the Satellite,
under Dobson, with some men from the Arachne, to support the
defence on the Dalla side, where the enemy had been observed to
be throwing up works. On tlie 3rd, tlie liurmese in tlie river
pressed their attack with more dctei-niination than cner, and
n 2
244 MILlTAliy nisTOHY of the nOYAL SAVY, lSl(i-l856.
succeeded in setting fire to the Tcignmouth, which however, was
not seriously damaged. More reinforcements were sent up by
Chads ; and, that night, Eyves, putting the whole of his available
European force into boats under Kellett, ordered a dash to be made
at the BuiTuese flotilla. The attack was made in the early morning
of the 4th, when the moon had set- The Burmese remained steady
until the British were within pistol shot, and then fled. Kellett
drove ashore some of their rearmost boats, and Lieutenant Goldfinch
took one craft bearing a flag, six others being also captured. The
pursuit could not be continued for more than three or four miles,
as Kellett had a strong force of the enemy up a creek in his rear.
This valuable service was peiiormed without loss. The naval
officers concerned in it were, besides Kellett, Lieutenant George
Goldfinch, and Midshipmen Valentine Picke}-, AVilliam Coyde,
Charles Kittoe Scott, and Murray. Messrs. William Lindquist
and George Boscawen, of the Bombay Marine, were also present.
The situation was further relieved by the opei-ations of Chads in
the Puzendown creek against the Burmese left and rear on the
night of December 5th ; by the work of the Satellite at Dalla ; and
by the exertions of Kellett, with the Diana, in the Panlang branch
of the river. The enemy persisted in his attack on the 6th, when
Chads sent his mortar vessels up to Kemmendine, where they were
most useful ; and on the 7th, man}- fire-rafts and large boats were
sent down against the shipping, though without effect. Not, how-
ever, until nearly noon on the 7th, when the Burmese had
become very bold, were the enemy's positions subjected to a general
assault by the army. They were then carried, and their defenders
were routed. Chads sent every available man from the Arachne
to reinforce Eyves, and to enable him to intercept the retreat ; but
the fugitives were too quick for the British. It is calculated that
during the week ending December 7th, they lost 5000 men. The
loss on the part of the armj' was 26 killed, and 252 wounded.
On the following night, a successful combined assault was
made on the Burmese coi"ps on the Dalla side of the river. Chads,
KeUett, and Mr. Archibald Keed, K.X., co-operating, aided by the
fire of the Satellite. On that occasion, five of the naval brigade
were wounded.
The Burmese soon reassembled ; and they renewed their attacks
on December 13th. Early in the morning of the next day, more-
over, some of their emissaries managed to set fire to. and burn
1824-25.] TIIK ADVASCE O.V AVA. 245
down, about one-fourth of the town of Rangoon. On the loth,
therefore, Chads sent a detaclnncnt under Kellett up the Lyne
branch of the river. The expe(Htion consisted of the J)iana, towing
the H. E. I. Co.'s cruiser Friiicc of M'ttlcs, and the pinnaces of
the Arachne and Sophie; and it captured three large war boats,
and about forty small craft, many with useful cargoes, besides
destroying numerous fire-rafts. At the same time. Sir Archibald
Campbell, with loUU infantry, stormed the Burmese stockades in
the same direction, and gained a most brilliant victor}' over 20,000
of the enemy. The naval brigade had no one hurt.
During the remainder of the month, naval reconnoitring parties
went in several directions, destroying stores and rafts ; the army
was reinforced from Bengal, Madras and Ceylon ; the Lame
returned from Calcutta ; and about twenty additional gunboats
arrived from Chittagong. It was the turning point in the war.
From that time the Burmese stood mainly on the defensive, and
almost entirely evacuated the country below Donoobew ; wliile
many of them, realising that they would not be harmed by the
invaders, returned to their homes within the occupied territory, and
afforded no small assistance, especially to the commissariat.
It was decided to begin the advance towards Ava, the capital,
early in 182.5 ; and, in preparation for this. Sir Archibald Campbell,
who could not, of course, afford to leave any obstruction in his
rear, sent a combined expedition, which gallantly captured the old
Portuguese fort and the stockaded pagoda of Syriam. The naval
contingent, of 4H officers and men, was headed by Lieutenant
Charles Keele, who was the first person into the works at the
pagoda.
As land carriage was almost unobtainable, the advance had
to be made on lines parallel with the river Irawadi, and to be
accompanied by a flotilla. Captain Thomas Alexander (2), in the
Allif/ator, arrived at Itangnon mi .InniKiry 22n(l, and, being Chads's
senior, assumed the naval command. Under his direction. Chads,
with the Satellite, Prince of Wale.s, Diana, 15 row gunboats, 7
boiits of the Kquad)-on, and various canoes, co-operated with Lieut. -
Colonel llciuy (4nil\viii in securing control of the Lyne branch of
tlie river, and in taking and destroying, on February 5th, the
stockaded position of Than-ta-bain, commanding its banks ; and
Lieutenants Kellett and Keele also cleared the I'anlang brancli.
In these operations 4 seamen were wounded, and 1 .st'anian was
246 MILITAUY IIISTOIIY OF THE UOTaL XAVY, lSlG-1856.
drowned. Tlius free communication between the Rangoon river
and the main stream of the Irawadi was assured. Upon the return
of the expedition, the regular advance commenced on February 13th,
Commander Eyves being left in charge at Rangoon, and the forward
movement being made by way of the Panlaug branch.
The naval flotilla accompanying the aiiny, under the command
of Captain Alexander, consisted of the Diana, Satellite, two mortar-
boats, six gun-vessels, thirtj' armed row boats, all the boats of
the squadron in the Eangoon river, and about sixty launches, flats,
and canoes, with, embarked in them, all the disposable officers and
men of the Alligator, Arachne, and Sophie, and a brigade of troops
under Brig. -General Willoughby Cotton, about 1160 strong. Parallel
with and a little in the rear of this, moved the main army of about
2500 men. A third division, under Major Eobert Henry Sale, with
the co-operation of the Larne and Mercury, was detached with
directions to attack Bassein, on the western coast, and then to join
the main force at Donoobew. A force of about 3800 men was left
at Eangoon, under Brigadier Michael M'Creagh. From Eangoon,
Ava is 600 miles distant up the Irawadi. Alexander's flotilla sailed
on February 16th, the Bassein flotilla on the 17th.
On the 19th, a stockade at Panlang was carried ; and the
Satellite was left to protect the post, which was also garrisoned.
On March 6th, the river flotilla sighted the pagoda of Donoobew ;
and the place was soon afterwards summoned ; but in vain. A
first attack was made on the morning of March 7th, and, with the
support of the boats, a stockade was carried, though a second work
beat off Cotton with heavy loss, the result of the failure being
that, on the 8th, the vanguard of the expedition dropped down to
Youngyoun, nine miles below Donoobew. In the affair, the naval
loss was 2 killed and 13 wounded. Sir Archibald Campbell pressed
on with the main force to sitpport the marine colitmn, and on the
25th, took up a position close to the main stockade. There was
souie fighting, especially on the 27th ; but, the Burmese general,
Bandoola, having been killed on April 1st by a shell, his troops
fled, and Donoobew was easily taken possession of on April 2nd.
On April 3rd, Sir Ai'chibald CampbeU, always in communica-
tion with the marine column, advanced towards Prome ; and at
Suwarrah, on the 12th, he was joined by Brigadier M'Creagh. The
neighbourhood of Prome was reached on the 24th, and, as there
was no resistance, the place was taken possession of on the day
1825.] THE CAPTUIIE OF PIIOME. 247
following. A hundred guns were found mounted in the stockades.
The rainy season then commencing, the army went into cantonments.
In the meantime, Major Sale's division, 780 men strong,
accompanied by the Lame, Commander Frederick Manyat,^ and
Mercury (Bombay Marine), Drummond Anderson, commander,
had attacked Bassein. The expedition had anived off the mouth
of the Bassein river on Februarj^ 24th, and on the 26th, had
advanced, and had been fired at from two stockades, which had
been abandoned on the fire being returned. On March 3rd, the
ships had anchored within three miles of the town, which, it was
foimd, had been destroyed. Sale pushed up the river for about
130 miles ; but, as the enemy always fled before him, he returned
to Bassein on the 23rd, having lost but 2 wounded. Commander
Marryat subsequently received the surrender of Thingang, and
Lieutenant Thomas Fraser, that of Pumkayi. The result was
that the enemy no longer owned a port between Cape Negrais and
Tenasserim.
During the wet weather, the army lay nearly inactive at Prome ;
nor did the Navy do much in the Irawadi. On May 1st, however.
Lieutenant James Wilkinson, while on a reconnoitring expedition
up the river, captured eight large war boats, without having a man
hurt, although he performed the service under a fire from about
500 muskets. After the occupation of Prome, Captain Chads
returned to Eangoon ; Marryat, transferred to the Tees, 26, in
April, went also to Rangoon, and quitted the Bangoon river in
May ; Kyves was invalided ; Lieutenant Edward Blanckley,- of
the Alligator, was given command of the SojMe, and soon after-
wards left the station ; and the only ships then remaining at
li-dngoon Vi'eve the Alli(/ator and Arachne. Between that town and
Prome a chain of gunboats kept communications open, and insured
the prompt forwarding of provisions and stores to the front.
The campaign of 1825 was not resumed until late in the year ;
for, although a Burmese leader named Memia-Boo, with an army of
nearly 20,000 men, had advanced to Meaday, and threatened I'rome,
an armistice was arranged, and negotiations were entered into. In
the meanwhile. Captain Sir James Brisbane, Kt., C.B., of the
Boadicea, 4f), which he had left at liangoon, joined the headcjuarters
of the army, bringing with him his ship's boats. Eventually the
' l\.stea, July '25th, 1825.
^ Confirmed as Cum., Doc. 10th, 1825.
248 MILITAllY niSTOIlY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
coiu't of Ava decliued all terms ; aud the armistice ceased on
November 3rd.
The first episode of the renewed hostilities was an unfortunate
defeat for the British. Lieut. -Colonel Robert M'Dowall, of the
Madras Anny, while attempting, on November 15th, to dislodge a
large force of the enemy from a position 48 miles N.E. of Prome,
was driven back, he himself and .53 men being killed, and 110
wounded. The Burmese, with 50,000 men, then surrounded Prome ;
though they received a check on November 25th, when they
attacked Padoung-mew, on the west bank of the river, and were
repulsed by a small force which was much assisted by part of the
flotilla under Kellett.'
While Sir Archibald Campbell was getting ready to strike in
return. Captain Alexander died, on November 7th., and was
succeeded in the command of the AUigator by Chads. On
the 14th, the Chai/qnon, 18, Commander John Fitzgerald Studdert,
arrived at Eangoon.
On December 1st, Sir Colin moved out in the direction of
Meaday, while Brisbane and the flotilla began action with the
enemy entrenched on Nepadee ridge. The advance was steadily
continued from day to day, the flotilla captm-ing numerous boats,
and the army driving all before it. Commander John Francis
Dawson," of the Arachne, fell in the fighting of December 2nd,
and was succeeded in his command by Lieutenant Andrew Baird,^
of the Boadicea.
When Meaday was sighted, on December 17th, it was found
to have been evacuated. Sir Ai-chibald pressed on, and arrived
before Melloone on December 29th. There he agreed to another
armistice, in order that negotiations might be again entered upon.
Immediately after a treaty of peace had been signed on January
3rd., Brisbane fell ill, and was obhged to proceed to Pulo Penang.
This gallant ofiicer, who never wholly recovered his health, died
in New South Wales on December 19th, 1826, when he was on
his way to the west coast of South America, with his broad pennant
in the Warspite, 76. His departiure from the Irawadi, caused the
command there to revert to Captain Chads.
Unfortunately, the signature of the treaty of peace did not end
the war. The engagements entered into at Melloone were neither
' Com., Julj' 25th, 1825. = Com., Nov. 7th, 1825.
» Confd. as Com., May 25th, 1826.
1826.] THE THEATY OF YAXDAIiOO. 249
ratified nor observed by the court of Ava ; and hostilities were
renewed on January 19th, 18'26, when the British opened a
bombardment of Melloone, which the Bm-mese had undertaken to
evacuate. In the coarse of the same day, the town was assaulted
and taken, the assailants losing only 9 killed and 35 wounded.
In this affair the naval officers employed were Captain Chads,
Lieutenants Joseph Grote, and William Smith (5),' and Mates
or Midshipmen Valentine Pickey," Sydenham Wilde,^ William
Hayhurst Hall,^ George Sumner Hand, George Wyke, Stephen
Joshua Lett,^ and William Coyde.
Even the lesson thus taught at Melloone did not convince the
Bm-mese of the propriety of conceding British demands. A chief
picturesquely known as Nie-Wooh-Breen, or the King of Hell, took
up a strong and threatening position in the town of Pagahm-mcw,
with 16,000 men. The enemy once more tried to negotiate, and
so to gain time ; but Sir Ai'chibald advanced without delay, and,
on February 9th, defeated the King of Hell with great slaughter,
and took his city, losing but 2 killed and 15 wounded. This
convinced the court of Ava of the necessity of surrendering. A
sum of 25 lacs of rupees was handed over at Yandaboo, only
45 miles from the capital, as an earnest of good faith ; and, after
little more than a fortnight's discussion, a definitive treaty was
signed on February 24th. By this instrument Burmah agreed —
To abstain from all future intcrl'eieuce with the priucipalitj- of Assam, and with
Cachar, etc. : if required, to recognise Ghurabir Singh as rajah of Manipur : to cede to
Great Britain in perjictuity Arakan, liamri, Cheduba, Saiidoway, Yen, Tavoy, Mergui,
and Tenasserim : to receive a Britisli resident at Ava : to depute a minister to reside at
Calcutta : to reciprocate the iirivileges granted to Burmese vessels in British ports : to
enter into a commercial treaty : and to pay an indemnity of one crore (10,000,000)
of rui)ees.
On March 8tli, the troops were re-embarked ; and by May (Uh,
the whole force, having returned to Eangoon, had been broken up.
The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were most deservedly
voted to Sir James Brisbane, and the officers, seamen, and Marines
engaged under his orders, as well, of course, as to the army ; and
the gratitude of the country was further evinced by the conferring
of the C.B. on Captains Henry Ducic Chads, and Frederick Marryat,
and Commander George Frederick Ityves (2). There were also
' Com., July 22ud, 1820. » Lieut., Dec. 23rd, 1826.
^ Lieut., June 22nd, 1826. * Lieut., Dec. 26th, 1826.
250 MILITARY HISTOBY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
numerous promotions ; and in addition, both the Admiralty' and
the East India Company expressed their approbation of the zeal
and gallantry displayed by the naval contingent. It had, indeed,
been a most arduous and difficult conquest ; and one, be it remem-
bered, which could scarcely have been effected by any Power not
possessed of command of the sea, and of officers and men expert
in the various problems of river w^arfare.'
The officers and men of the Navy engaged in this war received
no medal whatsoever until 1851, the general Naval Medal, 1793-
ADMIBAL SIR ROBERT WALLER OTWAY (1), BART., G.C.B.
iFrain ./. W. Coolxs cngravino after a fnmilu minhttun.)
181-5, being, it must be supposed, considered to be too great a
reward for services of the kind. In 1851, however, upon the issue
of the medal known as "India, No. 1," that decoration, with clasp
for " Ava," was distributed to the surviving officers and men who
had served during the Burmese war in the following of H.M.
ships: AlUfjator, Arachne, Boadicea, Chcnnpion, Lame, Liffey,
Sophie, Slaneij, Tamar and Tees.
' James, vi. 420-470; Marshall, 'Narr. of Nav. Ops. in Ava' (1830), where are
the disps. ; Snodgrass ; H. H. Wilson's Coll. (Calcutta, 1827).
1826-27.] PIliACY 7-V THE LEVANT. 251
Turkish oppression, anil a revival of national spirit among the
Greeks, provoked a general rebellion of the Greek provinces of the
Turkish Empire, which broke out about the year 1821, and which
soon led to frightful exhibitions of savagery by both sides. In
western Europe, and especially in Great Britain, popular feeling
was, upon the whole, much in favour of the patriots ; and the
governments were strongly pressed to intervene, and even to assist
in driving the Mahometans altogether out of Europe. The contest
grew more and more bloodthirsty as it progressed ; and it was but
natural, looking to the nature of the warfare, that the Levant
became the scene of continual piracy and rapine, as well as of the
more legitimate operations of hostile races. During the tenure of
the Mediten-anean command by Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Burrard
Neale, this condition of affairs more than once demanded and
received the active attention of British naval officers on the spot.
Thus, for example, on April 9th and 10th, 1826, Commander
George James Hope Johnstone, of the Alacrity, 10, found it his
duty to send his boats, under Lieutenant Eichard Shepheard Triscott,
to destroy three Greek piratical vessels near the island of Psara.
Triscott and 3 seamen were severely wounded, and Lieutenant
John Wheatley was badly burnt ; but, on the other hand, 40 of
the pirates were killed, and 70 were made prisoners in a tower
under which their vessels had sought protection.^ On June 18th,
1826, two Greek misticoes, which had plundered a Maltese vessel,
were followed into a passage between Candia and some outlying
rocks by the Sibijlle, 48, Captain Sir John Pechell. The position
was defended by the crews of several other misticoes, which it was
endeavoured to cut out. In the warmly fought affair that followed.
Midshipman J. M. Knox and 12 men were killed outright, and
4 officers (1 mortally), and 27 men were wounded.- Similarly, on
January ih'd, 1827, Connnander the Hon. Chax-les Leonard Irby,
of the Pelican, 18, falling in willi a piratical schooner, the
Aphrodite, 4, in the gulf of Kalamata captured her. On March 2nd
following, the obstinacy of a Turkish skipper, who refused to bring
to and be examined, caused Irliy to mistake him for a pirate, and
to send boats, which took and destroyed his vessel, killing 2 and
wounding 4 of her crew. In this affair. Lieutenants Henry
Smith (2), who was badly injured, and Daniel F, Grant, who was
also wounded, distinguished themselves. The total British loss
' Mar.Hliall, iv., I't. H., 352. -" U.S. Journal, 1841, .332.
252 MILITAItY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
was 2 killed, and 7 (2 mortall}') wounded. On June 13th, Irby
was actuallj' obliged to open fire on the Greek town of Scardamoula,
in order to obtain the restitution of plundered property which lay
there, the governor being, apparently, in league with the pirates.
Two days later, the Pelican's boats destroyed a pirate vessel at
Petalidion.'
The commercial inconveniences consequent upon such a state
of things, the sanguinary character of the contest, and the barbarities
of the Turks, led, in 1826,- to the signature at St. Petersburg of a
protocol on the affairs of Greece ; and, in the following year,^ to
the conclusion of the Treaty of London, the parties to which were
Great Britain, France, and Eussia, and the objects of which were
the pacification of Greece, the suppression of piracy and anarchy
in the Archipelago, and, more immediately, the enforcement of
an armistice between the belligerents, to give opportunity for the
opening of negotiations. In December, 1826, Vice-Admiral Sir
Edward Codrington was appointed to supersede Sir Harry Biu-rard
Neale in the Mediterranean ; and the new Commander-in-Chief,
who reached his station in February, instructed his Captains
on September 8th, 1827,'* that the intentions of the Powers had
been formally signified both to Turkey and to Greece ; that Greece
had agreed to an armistice, while Turkey had not ; and that, as a
result, it became his duty to see that supplies of men and arms
destined against Greece shovild be intercepted. The work of
interception, he pointed out, must be carried out with caution, and
must not degenerate into hostilities, unless, indeed, the Turks
shoidd persist in endeavoiuing to force passages prohibited to them
by the allies. At the same time, firmness was to be employed ; and,
if absolutely necessary, the prescribed policy w^as to be enforced by
means of cannon. This declaration, to the tenor of which the
Turks were no strangers,^ and the manner in which the British
commanders carried out the instructions, induced the Turks, on
September 25th, to verbally accede to an armistice by land and sea.
At that time there lay in the port of Kavarin a Turco-Egyptian
' Marshall, ill., Pt. II., 6 ; O'Byrne, 1202.
' April -Ith. Text in ' Codriugtou,' 501.
^ July 6th. Text in ' Codrington,' 502. Addit. secret article in ' Codrington,' 505.
* Letter in James, vi. 473. It was compiled after receipt of instructions agreed
upon on July 12th by the plenijiotentiaries. These are in ' Codrington,' 508.
° Codrington to Turkish Admiral, Sept. 19th, 1827 ; Codrington to Ibrahim Pasha
Sept. 21st, 1827.
1827.] THE BATTLE OF SAVARJX. 253
fleet ' of some force : and, as the objects of this were suspected, it
was closely watched by Codrington. Navarin hai'bour, in Messenia,
is a spacious bay which opens to the westward, but the mouth of
which, except to the south-west, is almost completely filled by the
island of Sphagia.- The passage is there about half a mile broad,
and, in 18'27, was flanked, on the south, by a citadel, behind which
lay the Turco-Egyptian army 40,000 strong, and on the north, by
the island, by batteries.
It should be mentioned here that the French Eear-Admiral,
Henri de Eigny, with a squadron, had joined Codiingtou, off
Navarin, on September '21st, and that a Russian squadron, under
Rear-Admiral Count Heiden, joined on October 13th, when Sir
Edward, who on the 14th formally assumed command of the com-
bined forces, was off Zante. The constitution of the allied fleets
will be set forth later.
On the day following the conclusion of the verbal agreement
above mentioned, Codrington and de Eigny were preparing to put to
sea, when there came off to the British flagship, Asia, a messenger
from Ibrahim Pasha, who commanded the Turco-Egyptian fleet
and the Egyptian troops in the Morea, with word to the effect
that his master, having received intelligence that Lord Cochrane*
had made a descent upon Patras, requested to be allowed to send
a sufficient force to frustrate his lordship's plans. Codrington
returned a decided negative, and asked whether Ibrahim did not
consider himself bound by the agreement. The messenger, on
leaving, answered that, unless he should return within an hour,
Codrington was to understand that the agreement of the 2.5th was
still in force ; and, as the man did not return, Codrington iuid de
Eigny put to sea at sunset, leaving the Darfiiuiiitli, 32, to watch
the Turco-Egyptian fleet.
On October 2nd, the Dtirtniinitli coinniiuiicated to tlie Admirals,
who were in the offing, that a strong detachment of the Turks
and Egyptians had weighed and was standing towards Patras. The
blockading force obliged this division to put back to the southward
of Zante; and, on the 3rd, when 15 more Turkish ships had joined,
and a further attempt was made to proceed, the allied commanders
made repi^esentations wliicli induced the whole to steer for Navarin.
' Tlii.s had left Alexandria on A\ig. (itii, and had reached Navarin on Sept. !Mh.
- 'J"he ancient Sphacteria.
' Afterwards Admiral Lord Dnndi^nald, then in the service of the Greek imtriots.
254 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Again the D<irfiiiotitIi was left on watch ; and again, on the 4th,
she had to report that some vessels had sailed for Patras. The
Asia, 84, with the Dartmouth and Talbot, 28, assisting her, inter-
fered with their purpose ; though it is possible that Ibrahim's
intentions were frustrated rather by the state of the weather than
by the appearance, and warning guns, of the British ships. In
any case, the allies were unable to prevent the Turco-Egyptians
from once more entering Navarin ; although it had been detenuined
that the vessels which had issued thence should, if possible, be cut
off from the port, and obhged to make for Alexandria.
These events indicated that it was useless for the allies to confide
in the word of the Turks and Egyptians. On the other hand, they
induced Ibrahim, on his return to Navarin, to disembark the troops
who had been designed for operations at Patras ; and these troops
at once began to perpetrate the most terrible barbarities in the
Morea, neither women nor children being spared. The three
admirals considered it to be their duty not only to see that
Ibrahim should keep his word, but also, so far as might be, to
put moral pressure upon him to stop the atrocities. They decided
that a blockade of Navarin throughout the winter would be difficult,
expensive, and perhaps useless ; and that, upon the whole, the best
way of effecting their objects, and the objects of the civilised
Powers, would be for them to take their squadrons into Navarin
Bay, and there anchor them in such a position as to make it
hopeless for the Tm-co-Egyptian fleet to attempt to disobey them,
and dangerous for the Turco-Egyptian troops to fm-ther violate
the convention. Ibrahim's ships were moored in a semicircle in
the bay, so that no anchorage save a central one remained for the
alUes. The arrangement had been adopted at the suggestion of
certain French volunteer officers who were in some of the Egyptian
vessels. The larger ships and frigates formed the Tm-co-Egyptian
inner line, and the smaller craft were disposed beyond them so as
to command the intervals between them. On October 18th, there-
fore. Sir Edward Codrington issued the following instructions : —
" It appears that the Egyptian ships m which the French ulficers are embarked, are
those most to the south-east. It is therefore my wish tliat his Excellency Kear-
Admiral Chevalier de Eigny should place his squadron abreast of them. As the next
in succession appears to be a ship of the Une with a flag at the main, I propose placing
the Asia abreast of her, with the Genoa and Albion next to the Asia; and I wish
that his Excellency Rear- Admiral Count Heiden will have the goodness to place his
squadron next in succession to the British ships of the line. Tlie Russian frigates in
I
1827.]
THE BATTLE OF XAVAliiy.
255
this case can occupy the Turkish sliips next iu succession to the Russian ships of the
line ; the English frigates fonuing alongside such Turkish vessels as may be on the
western side of the harbour abreast of the British ships of the line ; and the French
frigates forming in the same manner, so as to occupy the Turkish frigates, etc., abreast
of the French ships of the line. If time permits, before any hostility is committed by
the Turkish fleet, the ships are to moor with springs on the ring of each anchor. No
gun is to be fired from the combined fleet without a signal being made for that jjurpose,
imless shot be fired from any of the Turkish ships ; in which case the ships so
firing are to be destroyed immediately. The corvettes and the brigs are, under the
I'L.\X OK Till-; BAY OF NAVAHIN, OCT. 20t11, 1827.
{Cliiejlij from aplati by Lifut. John Horvvy Butekr, H.M.S. Albion.)
For retcrenco numliers I to L'7, see the table on p. 2.i0.
28. Three Tunisian friuates. and a brig.
29. Town and citadel of Kavarin.
.10. Old Xavarin.
31. Batteries.
ilirection of Captain Fellowes, of the Dartmouth, to remove the fire-vessels into sucli a
jiosition as will jirevent their being able to injure any of tlie combined fleet. In case
of a regular battle ensuing, and creating any of that confusion wliich must naturally
arise from it, it is to be observed that, in the words of Xelson, ' No Captain can do
very wrong who places his ship alongside that of an enemy.'"
The exact strength of tlie Turco-Egyptiaii fleet is, strange to
say, a matter of some doubt. According to a statement of the
256 MILITxlRY IllSTOItY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
Secretary to the Capitan Bey, it consisted of 65 sail, including two
84's, one 76, four double-banked 64's, fifteen 48-gun frigates, 26
corvettes, 1'2 brigs, and 5 fire-vessels ; and this statement is
probably correct : but Codrington sets its total strength at 89 sail,
besides 41 transports, and makes it to have comprised 3 ships of
the line, 4 double-banked frigates, 13 other frigates, 30 corvettes,
28 brigs, 6 fire-brigs, and 5 schooners. The number of guns
mounted in it has been estimated at 2240, and maj* have been a
little greater. The combined fleet, which mounted 1276 guns, was
as follows, the names of the commanding officers, and the number
of men killed and wounded in the battle of October 20th, being
inserted against each ship for convenience of reference : —
.ships.
No. on
Plan.p.ass.;
i
/ Asia ....
Genoa ....
Albion ....
Glasgoio . .
V
.c
Cambrian .
J
^ /
Dartmouth
&
Talbot . . .
n
Rose . . .
"3
Mosquito . .
Brisk . . .
Philomel . .
o
3ind, cutter .
n
' .^cipion. . . .
1
Trident - . .
^
■
Breslau
a -i
Sirene ....
^,
Arm.ide. . .
Alcyone . .
V I
^ Daphne. . .
Azof ....
Gangoot . . .
Ttzekeyeel .
Alixandcr Sevski
f'onstantin
Provm-nyi .
Elena
raslor . .
Commanders.
10
H
u
15
13
17
IS
19
21
22
23
2.1
24
26
■n
76
74
50
48
42
28
IS
10
10
10
80
74
84
42
10
84
74
74
44
42
44
32
fVice-Adm. Sir Edward Codriugtou
ICapt. Edward Curzon
Capt. Walter Bathurst .
Capt. John Acworth Ommanney
Capt. Hou. James Asbley Maude
Capt. (.awen William Hamilton,
Capt. Thomas Fellowes, CB. .
Capt. Hou. Frederick Sprucer .
Com. Lewis Davies 1 .
Com. George Bohuu Martiu-
Com. Hou. William Auson .
Com. Viscount Jugestrie^
Lieut. Johu Kobb ....
Capt. Milius . . ...
Capt. ^lorice . . . .
Capt. Botherel de La Bretouuiere
I R.-Adm. Heuri de Rigny .
iCapt. Robert .
Capt. Hugon ...
Com. Turpiu
Com. teretrier . .
f R.-Adm. Count de Heiden
ICapt. Lazaref ....
Capt. Aviuof . . . -
Capt. Sviukiu .
Capt. Bogdauovich .
Capt. Hrooscbof .
Com. Epauchiu (2) .
Com. Ei)auchiu (n .
Com. ^itiu . . .
Killed. I Wounded.
.13
50
2
17
15
4
3
7
: ;]
19
2C
10
. .
1
6
6
3
2
1
1
S
2
. —
14
1
14
13
6
21
7
15
25
10
5
67
37
18
7
1
4
5
1 Posted Oct. 21st, 1827. - Posted Apr. 19th, lt-2S. a Posted Oct. 22ud, 1827.
For particulars of the Russian ships I am indebted to the naval General ."^taff at St. Petereburg.
The state of the wind did not allow of the bay being entered
before October 20th. On that day, the weather being fine, and the
wind from S.W., the combined squadrons stood towards Navarin
early in the afternoon. To give no cai;se for feelings of jealousy,
the Commander-in-Chief had determined that the order of saihng
should be the order of battle ; and the fleet went in, the British
and French forming the weather, or starboard, and the Russians,
the lee line. At the mouth of the harbour a boat from the shore
1827.]
THE BATTLE OF N AVAR IX.
257
came alongside the J.s/(^ the leading ship, with a message to the
effect that, as Ibrahim Pasha had not given anj' order or permission
for the alhes to enter, it was requested that they would again put
to sea. Codrington's reply was : " I am come not to receive orders,
but to give them ; and, if any shot be fired at the allied fleet, the
Turkish fleet shall be destroyed."
The Asia pursued her way, and dropped anchor close alongside
a ship of the line, instantly mooring with 30 fathoms on each
cable near the flagship of the Capitan Bey. The Genoa came next,
and was about to place her bow towards the bow of the Asia, when
she was hailed by the Vice-Admiral, and desired to anchor with her
head in the same direction as that of the flag-ship. This she did,
placing herself near another ship of the line. The Albion followed,
Pmu^uj
tp the
tranwnmtnnjm of ifu .^rtJiwi
t
J
■•■...
^
3
^
•v.
'Cb
^
-Ci
-C=3
'^
^
ca
•o
■cs
'
Afyrc Heparan, flrt^
Z Capi/ttn-Btf
■
^
"^
^^
-c
■G.
"CS,
and took station close to a double-banked frigate. In the general
plan, all the ships are represented as in their proper places ;
Init the action had begun, and had contiimed for between twenty
and thirty minutes, ere the sternmost of the French, or the head-
most of the Russian ships, had anchored ; and nearly two hours
elapsed before the Cambrian, Glasgow, and Constantin were able
to take up their positions, the wind being very light. Codrington
entered cleared for action ; liut his lower-deck ports were not
hauled flat against the ship's sides, but were kept square, as at
sea in fine weather. This arrangement, and the fact that he did
not anchor his ships by the stern, but ordered springs on the
ring of each anclior, indicated a certain readiness to engage, yet
no necessary intention of becoming the assailant. At the same
time, it must be admitted that the entry of the allies could scarcely
be interpreted save as a provocation to hostilities.
VOL. VI. s
258 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, JSlC-1856.
Codrington's orders were in process of being carried out ; and
the leading ships had anchored, some of them even having furled
their sails, and the Asia's band having been called on deck, when
musketry fire broke out in the direction of the Dartmoutli. Some
of that frigate's boats had been sent to the fireships on the right
of the entrance to request that those craft would move further
away from the stations taken up by the allies.. This, of course,
was scarcely a politic measure, seeing that the new-comers, and
not the vessels already in the bay, were obviously the cause of
any crowding that might be objectionable. The despatch of the
boats was, moreover, a measure likely to be misunderstood ; and,
in fact, the Turks, supposing that force was about to be employed,
opened fire and killed Lieutenant George ^Yilliam Howe Pitzroy,
and several seamen. This produced what Codrington described
as a "defensive" fire from the Dartmouth, and from the Sirene.
Up to that point musketry only was employed ; but at length one
of the Egyptian ships fired a round shot at the French flag-ship,
which replied ; and so, very quickly, the action became general.
Says Codrington : —
"Tlie Asia, although placed alongside the ship of the Capitan Bey, was even nearer
to that of Moharem Bey, the commander of the Egyptian ships; and, since his ships
did not lire at the Asia, altliough the action was begun to windward, neither did the
Asia fire at her. The latter, indeed, sent a message 'that he would not fire at all';
and therefore no hostility took place betwixt our two ships for some time after the
Asia had returned the fire of the Capitan Bey. In the meantime, however, our
excellent pilot, Mr. Peter Mitchell, who went to interpret to Moharem my desire to
avoid bloodshed, was killed by his peojjle in our boat alongside. Whether with or
without his orders I know not ; but his ship soon afterwards fired into the Asia, and
was consequently effectually destroyed by the Asia's fire, sharing the same fate as his
brother admiral on the starboard side, and falling to leeward a mere wreck. These
ships being out of tlie w-ay, the Asia became exposed to a raking fire from vessels in
the second and third line, which carried away her mizen mast by the board, disabled
some of her guns, and killed or wounded some of her ciew. This narration of the
proceedings of the Asia would probably be equally applicable to most of the other ships
of the fleet. The manner in which the Genoa and Albion took their stations was
beautiful ; and the conduct of my brother Admirals, Count Heiden, and the Chevalier
de Iiigny, throughout, was admirable and highly exemplary. Captain Fellowes
executed the part allotted to him perfectly, and, with the able assistance of his little
but brave detachment, saved the Sirhie from being burnt by the fire- vessels. And
the Cambrian. Glasijow, and TaUiot, following the fine example of Captain Hugon, of
the Armide, who was opposed to the leading frigate of that line, eflectually destroyed
their opponents, and also silenced the batteries. This bloody and destructive battle
was continued with unabated fury for four hours ; and the scene of wreck and devasta-
tion which presented itself at its termination was such as has been seldom before
witnessed. As each ship of our opponents became effectually disabled, such of her
crew as could escape from her endeavoured to set her on fire ; and it is wonderful how
we avoided the effects oi their successive and awful explosions."
1827.]
THE BATTLE OF NAVAIllX.
259
So thick was the smoke in the bay that the Bussian ships, a
they entered, had great difficulty in finding their way, and in dis-
tingiiishing friend from foe. The Armidc, going to her station,
found the Talbot pressed by three ships of the enemy, and skilfully
interposed herself between the Talbuf and her chief adversary
while the British cheered lustily.' The Armide, in turn, was
saved by the Rose from an attack by a Turkish fire-ship ; and the
Sirhie, as stated in the dispatch, was similarly saved by the
Dartmoutli. The little Hind, cutter, tender to the Asia, had been
detached, and returned as the squadron was entering the bay.
Without orders. Lieutenant Eobb took her into the melee, and
fought her most gallantly and effectively. The Turks behaved
with the utmost bravery and determination, but, having allowed
H'heJt Mchivtm btqjn t Capi!an.£ey •""
tUjtieed
^jp
^ ^ •<;,
'^P
-c=
•ca -Ci
mun the Arst iuir woj dtoj^fd. a-"^ and 0u>
nttriifkhig or fcreM IB aOr
.v^
A-
?
^
^
V-.
V
0
0 ■
g
^
:o
the allies to enter without opposing them, their fate was sealed.
Either they ought not to have resisted at all, or, upon seeing thoii
boat return from the advancing Asia with an unsatisfactory answer
to the message of Ibrahim Pasha, they should have instantly
opened fire from every gun on land and water that would bear.
In the latter event, they would undoul)tedly have derived immense
advantage from their horse-shoe formation, and from the presence
of their fire-ships just witliiii tli<' iiunuli nf ibc bay. Nor can
it be urged that they were unprepared. The ships were all at
quarters, and the guns had their tompions out, and were loaded
' "Our work was no\* easy enough, lor by this time the liussiaa l'rif;ates got to
tlieir stations, and lianiniered away. One of theiu, however, in passing our stem, sent
several sliot into us, and Isilled tlie old signalman ; wliereupon Captain Spencer
ordered Grey" (Mids. Hon. Geo. (2)) "and nic, his two nides-de-camp, to go on board
an<l remonstrate. We found, I regret to say, that several of the oflicers were quite
drunk, and the caiitain not muth better." Otway's ' Adm. Lord Clarence K. Paget,' 1 ">.
s 2
260 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
nearly to the muzzles with shot and scrap iron. Owing to their
lack of decision and promptitude, they lost a ship of the line,
three double-banked frigates, nine other frigates, twenty-two
corvettes, nineteen brigs, a schooner, and five fire-ships, and,
probably, -iOOO men,^ without causing any proportionate degree
of damage to the allies. Codrington, in his General Order of
October 24th, overrated the amount of destruction wrought, and
expressed his belief that "one frigate and fifteen smaller vessels"
were all that remained in a condition ever again to put to sea.
He was mistaken, doubtless owing to the fact that W'hen he was
in the baj' several vessels which were afterwards saved, appeared
to be burnt or bilged. When the Pelican, 18, reconnoitred the
scene on November 17th, she found there 29 sail at anchor,^ in-
cluding a ship of the line and four frigates much shattered, besides
a rase, two frigates, five corvettes, eleven brigs, and five schooners
ready for immediate service. These may not all have been in the
bay on October 20th ; but the particulars serve to confirm the
general truth of all accounts save the one in Codrington's General
Order. All agi-ee that the destruction was less than is there
stated.
The ships of the combined squadrons nearlj- all suffered con-
siderably in hull as well as aloft. The nimiber of killed and
wounded has been abeady set forth. In the British squadron
among the officers killed were Captain Walter Bathurst,^ of the
Genoa, Lieutenant George William Howe Fitzroy, Master William
Smith, of the Genoa, Captains (E.M.) George Augustus Bell, and
Cornelius James Stevens, and Lieutenant (E.M.) Philip James
Sturgeon. Among the severely wounded was Commander John
Norman Campbell,* second in command of the Albion. The
practice of appointing Commanders as " second Captains "' to large
ships was then quite new ; and therefore it may be of interest
to add that Commander Robert Lambert Baynes ^ served in the
Asia, and Commander Eichard Dickinson,^ in the Genoa, in that
capacity. All the Commanders and all the first Lieutenants of
ships engaged were promoted in consequence of the action. All
1 Chevalier : ' Mar. Franc, de 1815 a 1870,' 48.
= Marshall, Supp., Pt. II.' 332.
^ Capt. of Oct. 24th, 1799. He was 63 at the time of his death.
* Posted Oct. 22nd, 1827.
= Posted .July 8th, 1828.
« Posted May 13th, 1828.
1827.] STAINES AT OliABUSA. 261
the Captains and Commanders who had not previously held the
C.B. were given that honour ; and Codrington himself was made
a G.C.B. In addition, France, Kussia, and Greece showered decora-
tions upon the victors. Yet a large body of public opinion in
England condemned the Vice-Admiral's behaviour as rash, useless,
and impoHtic ; and the battle was officially alluded to as an "un-
toward event." Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore (2) was sent out to Sir
Edward with a long list of queries from the Admiralty and the
Foreign Office ; Ministers, from their places in Parhament, charged
the Commander-in-Chief with inattention or disobedience to orders ;
and at length, after the lapse of some months, Sir Edward was
recalled, as Brenton says, either as a sacrifice to the Opposition,
or as a peace offering to the Sublime Porte : perhaps as both. The
specific caiise assigned for his removal had, however, no reference
COMMEMOR.'VTIVE MEDAL OK THE BATTLE OK XAVARIN.
(.From an original, kindlij lent hij II.S.II. Vapluln Prince Louis of Btttlenberg, G.C.B., Il.X.t
to Navarin, but arose out of other circumstances which need not
here be entered into. Suffice it to say that Codrington was in no
way to blame.*
Before he returned to England, he was able to strike a most
important blow for the suppression of Greek piracy in the Mediter-
ranean. The island of Grabusa, which had been taken by the
Greeks from the Turks, lies off the western end of Crete, and,
being an almost inaccessible fortified rock, with a good though
small anchorage, formed a most admirable headquarters for the
light vessels in which the freebooters chiefly pursued their trade.
On January 81st, 1828, by the Commander-in-Chief's direction,
Commodore Sir Tliomas Staines, K.C.B., in the Isis, 50, anchored
off Grabusa, with the Cambrian, 48, Captain Gawen "William Hamil-
' Uourcliier, ' Codiingtoii,' ii. jxissim ; James (1837), vi. 171; Hrentoii, ii. fUO;
Gdzette, 1827, 2320, eti-.
262 MILITAMY HISTOEY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
ton, Battlesna'ke, 28, Captain the Hon. Charles Orlando Bridgman,
Zebra, 18, Commander Charles Cotton (2), Cameleon, 10, and two
French corvettes, and found 14 Greek vessels lying in the port,
with an Austrian ship, and an Ionian merchantman, their prizes.
Staines demanded the sm-render of all these, and, receiving no
satisfactory reply, fired into, and destroyed most of them. There
was no resistance. Unfortunately, while the British ships were
retiring, the Isis and the Cambrian fouled one another in the
narrow- chamiel ; and the latter, paying off on the wrong tack,
presently fell broadside on to a reef of rocks, where she was lost.
Her people were saved ; but Commander Cotton, of the Zebra,
exerted himself so violently and continuously on the occasion as to
bring on brain fever, from w'hich he died. The court-martial fully
exonerated Captain Hamilton.^
The destruction of the Turco-Egyptian fleet had had the effect of
reducing the Porte to a condition of powerlessness at sea, but had
made very little immediate difi'erence to the lamentable state of
affairs on land, where Ibrahim Pasha continued his career of violence
and devastation in the Morea. This led France, in the summer of
1828, to send a small army to Greece ; and eventually, Ibrahim was
obhged to depart to Egj'pt. Turkey's hands were full, she being at
war with Russia ; and her positions in the south of Greece sur-
rendered one after another, until onh* Morea Castle remained. In
the siege of it the French were assisted by Captain Edmund Lyons,
of the Blonde, 46, and Captain the Hon. Frederick Spencer, of the
Talbot, 28, both of whom served with a naval brigade in the trenches
until the capitulation of the place on November 1st, 1828.
Mention has been made above of the interference of Lord Coch-
rane in the affairs of Greece. Cochrane was then no longer in the
British Navy. In the summer of 1814 he had been convicted of
complicity in a sordid scheme of conspiracy and fraud, and had in
consequence been imprisoned, fined, deprived of his naval rank, his
Knighthood of the Bath, and his seat in Parliament." Years after-
wards, doubts began to be entertained as to the justice of his
sentence ; and, these having grown, his name was reinstated in its
proper place in the Navy List in 1830, he became a Vice-Admiral
in 1841, and, finally, the Order of the Bath was restored to him in
1847. During the fifteen years or more when he lay under the
' Marshall, Supp., Pt. II. 451 ; Bourchier, ' Codrington,' ii. 188 ; Mins. of C. M.
^ 'Autobiog. of a Seaman,' ii. 317, etc.
1820.] COCJIllAXK 7\ SOUTH AMICRICA. 263
imputiition of disgrace, his marvellous energy and love of adventure
led him to adopt the career of a sailor of fortune, and vi^on for him,
in that capacity, a fame such as has hardly been won by any other
seamen in the whole course of history/ The story, of course, does
not in strictness belong to the annals of the British Navy ; but it is
so closely connected with thein, and it reflects so much honour and
glory upon the profession which produced the hero, that a very brief
simimary of it naturally finds a place here.
In 1817, Lord Cochrane accepted the request of the revolutionary
government of Chile to assume command of its scanty naval force in
the struggle against Spain. After having partially superintended
the equipment of a war-steamer which was building in London
for the revolutionists, he landed at Valparaiso in November, 1818.
General O'Higgins was Supreme Director of the infant republic,
and Admiral Blanco Encalada commanded the little fleet, which
consisted of a captm^ed Spanish frigate, a couple of ex-Indiamen,
the ex-British sloop Hecate, 18, renamed Galvarino, and two other
sloops or corvettes. Cochrane was at once made " Vice-Admiral
of Chile, and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the
Republic." Blanco most sensibly and patriotically assented to this
arrangement, in spite of the opposition which was at first offered to
it by Commander Martin George Guise,- R.N., and Lieutenant John
Tooker Spry,^E.N., who had already taken service with the Chihans.
The new chief hoisted his flag, on December 22nd, in the O'Hujgins,
50 (ex-Spanish frigate Maria Isabel), and at once began a most
extraordinary series of successes. It is not possible here to follow
him through his difficulties and dangers. It will suffice to say that
in spite of jealousy, treachery, mutiny, no pay, bad ships, and short-
ness of supplies and ammunition, he drove the Spanish navy fi"om
the South Pacific, and was instrumental in perfecting the liberation
not only of Chile, but also of Peru. In the course of his anti-Spanish
campaigns, which lasted until 1823, Cochrane's most wonderful
exjjloit was the capture of the Spanish frigate Esmeralda, 40,
in 1820.
In November of that year, the Esmeralda lay under the batteries
' "lie was at this time, in tlic estimation uf the OM Wnild and the New, tho
greatest man alioat. He was tali and tliin, uf powerful hiiild, with closo-cut red hair."
Keppel, i. 36.
* Com. H.N. of Mar. lilnh, IHl,"). He eventually liecame a vice-adiidral in tlio
Peruvian service.
' Lieut. H.N. of July 17th, 1813.
264 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
of Callao, protected by no fewer than 300 guns mounted on shore,
and manned by a good and large crew, which slept every night at
quarters. Outside her anchorage was a strong boom, with chain
moorings ; near her were some armed blockships, and, covering
the whole, were twenty-seven gunboats. On the evening of
November 5th, Cochrane, who had with him off the port the
O'Higgins, Indepcndeucia, and Lautaro, issued a proclamation to
his men, and called for volunteers. The narrative of what followed
is given in Cochrane's own words : —
" A hundred and sixty seamen and eighty marines were selected, and, after dark,
were placed in fourteen boats alongside the flag-ship, each man, armed with cutlass and
pistol, being, for distinction's sake, dressed in while, with a blue band on the left arm.
The Spaniards, I expected, would be ofl' their guard, as, by way of ruse, the other ships
had been sent out of the bay under the charge of t'aptain Foster, as though in pursuit
of some vessels in the offing — so that the Sjianiards would consider themselves safe
from attack for that night.
" At ten o'clock all was in readiness, the boats being formed in two divisions, the
first commanded by my tlag-captain, Crosbie, and the second by Captain Guise — my
boat leading. The strictest silence, and the exclusive use of cutlasses were enjoined ;
so that, as the oars were muffled, and the night dark, the enemy had not the least
suspicion of impending attack.
" It was just upon midnight when we neared the small opening left in the boom,
our plan being well-nigh frustrated by the vigilance of a guard-boat, upon which my
launch had luckily stumbled. The challenge was given, upon which, in an under-
tone, I threatened the occupants of the boat with instant death if they made the least
alarm. No reply was made to the threat, and in a few minutes our gallant fellows
were alongside the frigate in line, boarding at several points simultaneously.
" The Spaniards were taken completely by surprise — the whole, with the exception
of the sentries, being asleep at their quarters — and great was the havoc made amongst
them by the Chileno cutlasses while they were recovering themselves. Uetreating to
the forecastle, they there made a gallant stand, and it was not until the third charge
that the position was carried. The fight was for a short time renewed on the quarter-
deck, where the Spanish marines fell to a man, the rest of the enemy leaping overboard
and into the hold to escape slaughter.
"On boarding the ship by the main chains, I was knocked back by the butt end of
the sentry's musket, and, falling on a thole pin of the boat, it entered my back near the
spine, inflicting a severe injury, which caused me many years of subsequent sufi'ering.
Immediately regaining my footing, I reascended the side, and, when on deck, was shot
through the thigh ; but binding a handkerchief tightly round the wound, managed,
though with great difficulty, to direct the contest to its close.
" The whole afl'air, from beginning to end, occupied only a quarter of an hour, our
loss being eleven killed and thirty wounded, whilst that of the Spaniards was a
hundred and sixty, many of whom fell under the cutlasses of the Chilenos before they
could stand to their arms. Greater bravery I never saw displayed than that of our
gallant fellows. Before boarding, the duties of all had been appointed, and a jjarty
was told of}' to take possession of the tops. We had not been on deck a minute, when
I hailed the foretop, and was instantly answered by our own men, an equally promjit
answer being returned from the frigate's maintop. No British man-of-war's crew could
have excelled this minute attention to orders.
" The uproar speedily alarmed the garrison, who, hastening to their guns, opened
N
^^^;
N
\
\
^ k
i
1822.] COCHILiXE IX SOUTH AMERICA. 265
fire on their own frigate, thus paying us tlie compliment of having taken it ; thougli,
even in this case, their own men nmst still have been on board, so that firing on them
was a wanton proceeding, as several Sjianianls were killed or wounded by the shot of
the fortress ; and amongst the wounded was Captain Coig, the commander of the
Esmeralda, who, after he was made prisoner, received a severe contusion by a shot
from his own party."
Cochrane had intended, after carrying the Esmeralda, to capture
every ship near her, and had given orders to that effect ; but, after
his disablement, Captain Guise took upon himself to cut the cables
of the prize ; and nothing then remained but to loose her top-sails,
and to move oiit. The unwounded prisoners numbered 200, among
them being a Spanish flag-officer, who had his flag flying in the
frigate. Cochrane was so little popular in the British service that
Captain Thomas Searle, of the Hyperion, 42, which lay close by,
sternly repressed all signs of admiration by those in his ship at the
spectacle of this magnificent exploit. On the other hand, the officers
of the U.S. frigate Macedonian quietly wished success to Cochrane's
boats as they passed in, and expressly refrained from calling atten-
tion to them by hailing. The HinKrion had hailed each one
separately. Among the officers who took part in the attack were
Lieutenants Esmonds, Morgell, Bell and Eobertson ; but, as Coch-
rane's account does not give their Christian names, it is almost
impossible to identify them, or to decide whether, as is most probable,
they had served previously as British naval officers.
In consequence mainly of the thankless and treacherous manner
in which he was treated, Cochrane quitted the service of Chile and
Peru, and entered that of Dom Pedro, w'ho had then embarked upon
the struggle which resulted in the separation of Brazil from Portugal.
He reached Eio de Janeiro in March, 1S22 ; found the new govern-
ment with only the skeleton of a small fleet ; rapidly organised a
squadron ; and gained some remarkable successes, which practically
freed the Brazilian coasts from the presence of Portuguese men-of-
war. But again, owing no doulit in ])art to his quarrelsome nature,
Cochrane failed to obtain generous treatment at the hands of his
employers ; and he indignantly left Brazil in 1825. It must be
admitted that he had had very much to put up with, that he had
served the young empire with single-hearted devotion, and that,
upon the whole, his brilliant adventures in South America cost him
much more than he ever received from the governments whose cause
he espoused to such good effect.' Dom Pedro conferred upon him
' ' Narr. of Services in Chile, Peru, and Brazil,' 2 vols., 1859.
266 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
the title of Marques de Maranhao. Among the EngHsh-named
officers who served with him in Brazil were David Jowett, James
Wallace/ Thomas Sackville Crosbie," W. Jackson, James Shepherd,*
S. E. Clewley, Francis Clare, G. March, W. Jannary, George Man-
son,^ Leonard Coming, Francis Drummond, Joseph Fitzcosten,
C. Eose, and J. Pascoe Grenfell, who subsequently rose to flag-rank
in Brazil. I regi-et that I cannot identify the majority of these.
Lord Cochrane, after a period of rest in England, served the cause
of Greece for about twelve months in the years 18'27-'28 ; but his
exploits in the Levant were tame in comparison with those in South
America.
Cochrane was by far the greatest of the British sailors of fortune
who, after the conclusion of twenty years of war with France, foimd
congenial work as the mercenaries of foreign governments, or of
revolutionary movements abroad ; but the number of officers who
thus kept their swords from wholly rusting is much larger than is
commonly suspected. Two only, however, besides Cochrane, need
special mention here, in connection with what has been written
above. These are Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Eose Sartorius,
who, in 1832, when a Post-Captain of eighteen years' standing,
assumed command, as Admiral, of the fleet of Dom Pedro, of
Portugal. His name was, in consequence, struck from the Navy
List, though it was restored in 1836. He received for his services
the title of Viconde de Piedade. He was succeeded in his
appointment in 1833 by Captain Charles Kapier (2), C.B., one at
least of whose exploits almost rivalled those of Cochrane, and
must be described.
Into the nature of the constitutional quarrel between Dom Pedro
and Dom Miguel it is unnecessary to enter. When in April, 1833,
Napier left England to command the naval forces of the former, he
was accompanied by Commander James Wilkinson, Lieutenant
Henrj' Frederick Peake, Master Edward John Phillips Pearn, and
Lieutenant Charles Elers Napier, all of the Eoyal Navy. To evade
the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act, each one assmned an
' Qy., Lieut. E.N. of Oct. 24th, 1807 ?
2 Lieut. E.N. of Feb. 1st, 1815.
^ Killed in the war between Brazil and Buenos Ayres, 1827. On the side of Buenos
Ayres in that campaign were many English-named officers, including Admiral Brown,
Captains Drummond (perhaps the Francis Drummond of the text), and Granville, Lieut.
Ford, and Mids. Attwell and Hall.
* Qy., Lieut. E.N. of Oct. 18th, 1802 ?
1833.] NAPIER IN PORTUGAL. 267
alias, Napier himself becoming Carlos de Ponza.* On June 8th,
Napier received bis commission as Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-
Chief of the Portuguese Navj' ; and on the 11th, he hoisted his flag
in the Rainha de Portugal, 46, in Oporto Road Wilkinson was given
the posts of Commodore, and Captain of the Fleet, with his pennant
in the Bainlia de Porfiigal ; Peake obtained command of the Donna
Maria, 42 ; Pearn was made Master of the Fleet ; and young Napier,
with Commander's rank, became Aide-de-camp to the Vice- Admiral.
Besides the Rainha de Portugal and the Donna Maria, the Pedroite
squadron included the Dom Pedro, 50, Captain Goble," the Villa
Flor, 18, Commander liuxton, and the Portuense, 20, besides a few
steam tugs and transports. The Miguelite force was considerably
stronger, comprising as it did two vessels of the line, a 56-gun ship,
a .50-gun frigate, three corvettes, and several brigs, all ready for sea
in the Tagus. Moreover, Napier's ships were in bad order, the
crews being " half -naked and undisciplined." Nevertheless, after
some expeditions along the coast, the Vice-Admiral put to sea from
Lagos on July 2nd, in quest of the enemy, and, on the following
morning, sighted him, though, owing to various causes, he was not
able to engage him until the 5th. The battle was fought off Cape
St. Vincent. After a brief but very hot short-range action, the
Rainha de Portugal, 46, boarded and carried the Ndo Rainha, 74 ;
and the Donna Maria, 42, treated the PrincijH-ssa Reale, 56, in a
similar manner. The Dotn Jodo, 74, the Martina de Freifas, 50,
and a 22-gun corvette were also taken. It was a remarkable victory ;
yet, since nearly the whole of the officers and men of the prizes sub-
sequently joined and fought for the Pedroite cause, it is possible that,
as Miguelites, they fought half-heartedly, though, at the same time,
they lost heavily. Napier, who was rewarded with the title of Conde
de Cabo Sao Vincente, remained at the head of the Portuguese navy
after the collapse of Dom Miguel, until October, 1834, when he
resigned, and, shortly afterwards, returned to England.^ His name
li;i(l been removed from the Navy List, liut was restored to it as
from March Otli, 188().
After the Battle of Navarin, the Navy took no part in any opera-
tions on a large scale until after the outbreak of the first China War
' tiee Vol. v., pp. 522-23.
« Qy., Thoiniis Goblc, a Lieut. K.X. of Dec. 2ltli, 1805? lie was killed on
.July 5th, 1833.
' ' Life and Corr. of Napier,' i. IGH, etc. ; War in Portugal ' (2 vols., 183G).
268 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
in 1839 ; j-et never was it wholly idle for long. Pirates, slavers,
truculent semi-savages, and Eui-opeau revolutionists gave it plentj'
to do in several directions ; and there is much to be said concerning
its services in the eleven years 18'28-183S, although the period was
practically one of peace.
Lieutenant Joseph Sherer,^ who was appointed to the Motikey
on the West Indies station in October, 1828, and transferred to the
Nimble, 5, in August, 1829, was one of those who made for them-
selves enviable names at that time. In the Monhey, a vessel of only
75 tons, mounting one long 12-pr. on a pivot, and carrj'ing but 26
men, he made prize, in April, 1829, of the Spanish schooner Josepha,
carrying one 12-pr. gun, a crew of 21 men, and 207 slaves ; and, on
June 27th following, after a 3.5 minutes' action, of the brig Midas,
of 360 tons, mounting four long 18-prs. and four mediiun 12-prs.,
with a crew of more than 50 men, of whom 1 was killed and 3 were
wounded. In her 400 slaves were captured. In the NinthJe, in
November, 1829, Sherer took the Gallito, of one 9-pr., with 16
hands and 136 slaves on board. He was, in consequence, made a
Commander, as from December 30th, 1829."
The terror equally of pirates and of slavers in the West Indies
was Lieutenant John Bunch Bonnemaison M'Hardy, who, while
acting in the Icarus, 10, Commander John George Graham, pre-
vious to the receipt of his commission, had participated, under
Lieutenant Charles Croker, on August 20th, 1821, in the capture,
off Havana, of the pirate schooner Diableto, 6, with a complement
of 55 men. The British boats employed had only 34 all told
in them. On January 1st, 1828, M'Hardy was given command
of the schooner Pickle, 3, manned by 30 men and 6 boys. In
her, on June 6th, 1829, he fell in with the famous slaver Boladora,
mounting two long 18's and two long 12's, and having 60 men,
besides armed negroes, on board. A good account of what happened,
written by an officer of the Pickle, will be found in the Nautical
Magazine. It will be sufficient here to say that, after a close and
severe action lasting 80 minutes, in which the enemy lost 10 killed
and 14 wounded, the little schooner, which herself had 1 killed
and 10 (3 mortally) wounded, was successful. In this gallant
affair, Mate WiUiam Newton Fowell behaved with much credit.
' A Lieut, of 1822; had served with Lyon in the Heda. He was jiosted in 18-il
and died in that rank.
2 O'Byrne, 1060 ; Marshall, iv. Pt. IL 348.
1829-30.] CAPTUIIES OF SLAVERS. 269
M'Hardy was promoted to be Commander on December •20th
following.'
Two other distinguished officers of the same stamp were Lieu-
tenant Henry Downes, and Mate Edward Harris Butterfield. These
officers, and Mate Thomas Philip Le Hardy, were detached, in 1829,
on a cruise in the Black Joke, of one long 18-pr. and 34 men, tben
tender to the Sihijllc, 48, Commodore Francis Augustus Collier, on
the West Coast of Africa. This little craft is credited witb having
captm-ed no fewer than 21 slavers, with upwards of 7000 slaves in
them. Among them was the Spanish brig Providencia, of 14 guns
and 80 men ; the Brazilian brig Veiujador, of 8 guns and 645 slaves ;
the Buenos Aires privateer Presidente, of 7 guns and 97 men, which,
with her prizes, the Hossey, 6, and Marianna, 2, was boarded and
carried after a close running fight of ten hours ; and the Spanish
brig Almirante, 14 (ten 18's and four long 9's), with 80 men and 460
slaves. The last was carried after an eleven hours' chase with
sweeps, and an eighty minutes' severe action, in which the enemy
had 1.5 killed and 13 wounded, and the British, 3 killed and 7
wounded. For this most dashing exploit, Downes and Le Hardy
were promoted, and Butterfield, who had passed his examination in
1827, was placed on the Admiralty list, and appointed, in January,
1830, first Lieutenant of the Primrose, 18.^ The Black Joke con-
tinued her successful career, under Lieutenant William Eamsay,*
and, on April 25th, 1831, boarded and carried the large armed
Spanish slaver Marinerito, of 5 guns and 77 officers and men, off the
Calabar Eiver, losing 1 killed and 7 wounded.
The Primrose, which, under Commander Thomas Saville Griffin-
hoofe, had already distinguished herself on the same station, was,
in September, 1830, commanded by Commander William Broughton.
On the 7th of that month she encountered the exceptionally power-
ful slaver Veloz Pasajero,* which naounted 20 heavy guns, had a crew
of ]so desperadoes, and carried 555 slaves between decks. In the
hand to hand conflict which followed, Butterfield again signalised
himself, and, when Broughton had been luidly hurt, succeeded to
' O'liynic, tiUS; Xuut. Ma;/., iii. Uli).
' Gazette, 1821), 710; O'Byrnc, 150, GIG. Downes wns made a Com. May 2iui,
182!), and Lc Hardy, a Lio\it. un the same day.
» C<mi., Aug. ir.th, 1881.
* Keppel met her skijiper, Jose Antonio Barbozo, still in command of a slaver, in
18;i8, and describes him as handsome and intelligent-looking. lie had lost an arm iii
tlie action with the Primrose. Kcppel, i. 239.
270 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
the command. The enemy did not sm-render until she had lost
46 killed and 20 woi;nded, and caused a loss to the British of
3 killed and 13 wounded. In 1831 Butterfield commissioned the
Brisli, 3, and in her captured the slaver Prueha, with 313 slaves on
board. For his gallantry he was made a Commander on March 7th,
183'2, that being the earliest possible date at which, under the
regulations, he was eligible for promotion.'
In the summer of 1832, boat parties from the Magicienne, 24,
Captain James Hanway Plumridge, under Lieutenants Frederick
Hutton and the Hon. Henry Keppel, rendered useful service in the
rivers of the Malay peninsula by preventing the passage of supplies
by water to the Rajah of Nanning, who, for nearly two years pre-
viously, had been at war with the East India Company. The
blockade assisted in bringing the war to a satisfactory conclusion. -
In 1831-32, the course of events on the continent of Europe
necessitated the employment of two special squadrons in foreign
waters. The situation created in Portugal by the war between Dom
Pedro and Dom Miguel, and the resultant interference with British
trade, led to the considerable strengthening of the force which, under
Eear-Admiral William Parker, in the Asia, 84, Captain Peter
Eichards, lay in, or cruised off, the Tagus. Several of the rein-
forcing ships were drawn from an Experimental Squadron which,
under A'ice-Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, was organised in 1832,
chiefly in order to trj' the rates of sailing of various new* tj^es of
vessels. Towards the end of 1832, the insistance of Holland in
defying the great Powers with regard to the Belgian question, and
the active interference of Louis Philippe on behalf of his son-in-law.
King Leopold, who was also a cousin of King WiUiam IV., induced
Great Britain to join with France in declaring a blockade of the
ports of Holland, and an embargo on Dutch shipping, the King of
the Netherlands having precipitated matters by ordering British
and French vessels to quit his ports within three days. The French
contingent of the blockading fleet was under the orders successively of
Eear- Admirals Ducrest de Villeneuve, and de Mackau ; the British
was commanded by Sir Pulteney Malcolm, and consisted largely of
vessels of the Experimental Squadron. Towards the end of the
blockade, which practically ceased with the capture of the citadel of
1 Marshall, iv. Pt. II. 47G : O'Byrne, 130, 156 ; Oazeitc, 1830, 2451. Broughton
was posted Xov. 22nd, 1831.
- Keppel, i. 134.
1832.]
THE DUTCH BLOCKADE.
271
Antwerp by the French on December 23rd, 1832, Malcolm's fleet
was made np of the —
Donegal, 'i (flag), Cai)tain .luhn Dick; Malahar, 74, Captain the lion. Josceline
Percy; Reverxje, 78, CJaplain Donald Ihigli Mackay; Spartiate, 74, Captain Robert
Tait; 'Talavera, 74, Cajitain Thomas Brown; Southampton, 52, Conunander Jolin
Milligan Laws (actg. Captain); i'enion, 50, Captain Sir Francis Augustus Collier;
Castor, 3G, Captain Lord John Hay (1); Stag, 4G, Captain Nicholas Lockyer ; Con-
miy, 28, Captain Henry Eden (1); Vohige, 28, Captain Lord Colchester; Childers, 18,
II. 11. II. I'lilNCK WILLIAM IIKNIIV, DUKK OK CL.\nENCE,
.\i).Miu.\L OK THE Fleet, Loud Hioii admiual.
(Later H.H. King William IV.i
From n inazutbit hu W. yVurd,junr.,a.nerlheiiaititimjbyA. Vivell.
Commander Kobert Deans (2); Rover, 18, Commander Sir George Young (5), Bart.;
Scout, 18, Commander William Hargood (2); Dec, 4, steamer. Commander Kobert
Oliver (2); Rhndnminithus, 4, steamer. Commander George Evans; Lame, 18, Com-
mander William Sidney Smith (2); Snuke, IG, Commander William Kobcrtsuu (2);
and Satellite, 10, Commander Robert Smart.
Ail such ships as were detained appear to have been afterwards
liberated.
272 MILITARY HISTORY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Among the actions with slavers in 1832, none were more gallant
than those which were fought on the West Indies station by the
Speedwell, 5, Lieutenant William Warren, which captured, on April
6th, the Planeta, on June 3rd, the Aquila, and on June 25th, the
Indagadera, the three having on board about 1000 slaves. The
Aquila, brig, which was of more than three times the tonnage of
the Speedwell, and which had a crew of 70 men on board, fought
doggedly for an hour within pistol-range ere she struck. Warren
was promoted for these exploits.^
In the course of the same year, the Clio, 18, Commander John
James Onslow, was detached bj' Bear-Admiral Sir Thomas Baker (1),
commanding on the South America station, to reclaim possession of
the Maluinas, or Falkland Islands, which lapse of time had en-
couraged the Buenos Aireans and others to regard as wholh" aban-
doned. Onslow arrived at Port Egmont in December, 1832,
formally exercised the rights of sovereignty, surveyed the coasts,
and ejected a Buenos Aires garrison and the war schooner Sarandi,
which he found at Port Louis, East Falkland. The reoccupation
created some excitement and diplomatic correspondence ; but, of
course, it was persisted in.^
In Maj% 1833, the Curlew, 10, Commander Henry Dundas
Trotter, happened to call at the little frequented port of Antonio,
Prince's Island, on the African coast. He there learned that a
suspicious craft, resembling the pirate schooner Panda, had recently
qiaitted the anchorage. In the previous autumn, the Panda had
captured the valuable American brig Mexican, Butman, master, and
had rifled her on the high seas. The Curlew went in search of her,
and, on June 4th, tracked her to the river Nazareth. Trotter
manned and armed three of his boats, and, at the head of forty men,
boarded and captured her, though not imtil she had been abandoned
by her people. These scoundrels were taken prisoners by Passall,
the chief of the district, who, however, refused to give them i;p.
In endeavouring to force him to do so. Trotter lost the Panda, which
was blown up by an accidental explosion of loose powder. This
catastrophe cost the lives of the Purser, and the Gunner of the Curlew,
and of two seamen and a boy. Many delays occurred ; but, ulti-
mately, several members of the pirate crew were laid hands on, and
sent in the Savaije, 10, Lieutenant Robert Loney, to Massachusetts,
' Jamaica Courant, Aug. 2nd, 1832 ; O'Byrne, 1253.
2 Naut. Mag., ii. 614 ; 0"Byrne, 838.
1834.] BLACKWOOD A.VD CHADS AT CANTON. 273
where they were tried. On June 11th, 1835, Pedro Gibert, the
Panda's master, and four of his seamen, were deservedly executed at
Boston. The capture of Gibert and some others was due to the
courage and resource of Mate Henry James Matson, of the Curlew,
who was in consequence promoted. Trotter received the thanks of
the Admiralty, and of the President of the United States.'
Lieutenant Charles Bolton, who, for twenty months following
February •24:th, 1833, was in command of the Nimble, o, on the West
Indies station, was another distinguished captor of slavers. He took
six heavy vessels, having on board a total of 1902 negroes. One of
his toughest opponents was the Joaquimi, which did not surrender
until she had had her master and 2 men killed, and was in a sinking
condition.'^
So far as the Navy was concerned, the most important event of
1834 was the brush which occurred in the Canton Eiver in the
autumn of that year. A few months earlier, five ports, including
Canton, had been formally thrown open by China to the ganeral
trade of all nations. Soon after noon on September 7th, H.M.S.
Imof/ene, 28, Captain Price Blackwood,^ and Andromache, 28,
Captain Henry Ducie Chads, which had business up the river,
weighed from below Chuenpee Point to proceed through the narrow
passage known as Bocca Tigris, or the Bogue. A stir was at once
perceived among some war junks lying in Anson Bay, and in the
neighbourhood of the forts on Chuenpee and Tycock-tow Points.
After blank cartridges had been fired, the forts opened witli shot,
which, however, fell short, or astern of the ships. The; junks
crowded into the shallow recesses of Anson Bay. Just as the
frigates got within range of the foe at the Bogue, the wind sliifted
to noi-th. The Andromaclie then stood towards Anunghoy Fort,
the eastern one, on one tack, while the Inuxjene stood towards
Wangtung Fort, the western one, on the otiier. The latter ship
waited until Wangtung had fired several shots, and then replied.
The Andromache returned the fire of Anunghoy with evident effect.
The forts were soon silenced ; but they reopened whenever the
British ceased firing for a minute or two. The Jmoijcnr received
several shots ; but the Chinese practice was bad ; and, althougli the
passage lasted for nearly an hour and tliree-quarters, the British
' (.)'liyniu, 7-lli; Naut. Ma;/., iv. l!l!l; vi. 1, IT'.i.
* O'Uynie, !)6; Naul. Mufj., iii. I'J'J.
' Later Lord DiiflcriTi.
VOL. VI. T
274 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
siistained very little damage. The two frigates, while continnoush^
tacking, exposed themselves so much to be raked that they ought to
have been sunk ; and a tender, the Louisa, which accompanied them,
her commander sitting under an umbrella on deck, and manceuvring
her with great coolness, had most marvellous escapes. Owing to
the state of the wind, the ships anchored lielow Tiger Island, where
they were kept by calms or baffling airs until the afternoon of the
ADMIRAL SIR HESRY DUCLE CHADS, G.C.B.
(.From a ilratring made ahoKt 1857, >ihen Sir Ecnnj mas a Bear-Ad miral.'j
9th. The Chinese occupied the interval in improving their defences ;
but, when the frigates, with a fair breeze, again got under way, and
were fired at, they returned the fire so much more warmly, closely,
and rapidly than on the first occasion, that the forts were almost
knocked into ruins, many of their defenders perishing. The British
had but •! seamen killed, and 6 or 7 wounded. There, for the time,
the quarrel ended ; and presently the ships anchored below the
second \n\v, off Seecheetow. Explanations were made, and officials
1835.] ACTIONS KITH sLAVEltS. 275
were disavowed : and '^d matters rested until the reckoning of five
years later.'
In the course of the sarae year, 1834, the pirates in the Straits of
Malacca were dealt several severe blows by Commander Spencer
Lambart Hunter Vassall, of the Harrier, 18, who, after two serious
conflicts, succeeded in destroying the piratical settlements at Pulo
Arroa and Pulo Sitjee.^ He may be regarded as the beginner of a
work which, later, was taken up more systematically by Henry Ducie
Chads and Henry Keppel.
During the first Kai^r War, 1834-3.5, the Wolf, 18, was able to
render useful assistance to the military forces ; and her commander,
Commander Edward Stanley, received, in consequence, the public
thanks of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, governor of the Cape.
The Buzzard, 10, Lieutenant Jeremiah M'Namara, signahsed
herself early in 1835 by the capture, after a forty-five minutes'
action, of a large Spanish slave brig, the Formidable,' losing 2 men,
but, on the other hand, killing 7. The horrors of the middle passage
are well illustrated by the fact that ere the prize could be carried
into SieiTa Leone, 307 slaves, out of 707 originally in her, perished
from disease and misery.^ Another important capture was effected
on April 8th, oft" Little Cayman, by the schooner Skipjack, .5,
Lieutenant Sydney Henry Ussher. This was the Marthn, a craft
nearly three times as big as the Skipjack, and carrying six Congreve
18's, and two long 12-prs., with a crew of 02 all told. The engage-
ment between the two vessels lasted for two hours and a half, and
was followed by an intermittent running action lasting five hours
more. The prize lost 1 of her crew killed and 8 wounded ; the Skip-
jack, only 1 wounded. The Martha had originalh' taken 790 slaves
on board at Loango. When she met the Skipjack, forty-three days
later, but 4(50 survived ; and of those, 13 were killed in the action.*
In the summer of 1835, during a local insurrection at Para,
Brazil, the liacchorsc, 18, Commander Sir James Everard Home,
Bart., co-operated with a Brazilian flotilla in the siege of the town,
and was on several days in action with its batteries. On one
occasion, Mates Baldwin Arden Wake, and Byron Drury landed at
night, and assisted in bringing off 220 fugitives from the midst of
the insurgents, thus saving them from massacre.
' < I'Hynie, 183, etc.; .Vni//. .1/«.</., iv. L'lT.
■ Ajip. tu Crt. of Ailnilty., Mar. Jnd, 18;!K; (THyiiii-, I'.'L'T.
» .Saut. May., iv. :'.12.
* Naiit. May., iv. 439.
276 militahy ninTOity of the boyal XA]-r. isic-iysc.
Two excellent pieces of service were done in 1836 by Lieutenant
Charles John Bosanquet, commanding the Leveret, 10, on the Cape
station. Reaching Mozambique, in September, he found the place
in a state of insurrection, and all the Portuguese authorities under
arrest. Landing at night with his ship's company, and securing
the support of a few well-aftected people, he took the insurgents by
surprise, seized an 84-gun battery, obtained possession of the custom
house and government offices, and, within three days, restored
tranquillity, and re-established the ascendency of the Queen of
Portugal. Three months later he chased for 800 miles, and ulti-
mately captured by boarding, the slaver Diogenes, mounting five
24-prs., and having 70 people on board. The prize was at that time
within musket-shot of the battery above alluded to, and also of
a Portuguese frigate.'
In 1836, another Experimental Squadron was organised, and
entrusted to the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Paget. The
cruise which followed was to a large extent devoted to testing the
qualities of some of the vessels newly constructed after the plans of Sir
"VVilham Symonds, and Captain John Hayes (2). Towards the latter
part of the year, and again in Ma}% 1837, the irreconcilable attitude
of the Carlists on the north coast of Spain, and especially at San
Sebastian and Bilbao, led to British intervention. Supplies were
prevented from reaching them by sea ; and the work of a British
volunteer legion, which was assisting the Government, was sup-
ported. In these operations, which were conducted under the orders
of Commodore Lord John Hay (1) (successively of the Castor, 36,
Phcenix, 4, steamer, and North Star, 28), the Pique, 36, Captain the
Hon. Henry John Eous, Castor, Bingdove, 16, Commander Wilham
Frederick Lapidge, and Salamander, 4, steamer. Commander Sidney
Colpoys Dacres, were the vessels most actively engaged. On one
occasion the Pique and Castor had a considerable force of seamen
and Marines serving on shore ; and on another, the Caiiist lines
were shelled. In the eastern seas, between May and October, the
boats of the Andromache, 28, Captain Henry Ducie Chads, did some
good work towards the repression of Mala_y piracy. On the West
Coast of Africa, on July 22nd, 1836, Mate Samuel Otway Wool-
dridge, who had been lent from the Thalia to the Buzzard,
distinguished himself by boarding and taking, with oulj' 5 men,
the Portuguese slaver Joven Carolina, of two guns and 38 men,
' ( )'Bv]ne, 9(1.
1830.] CAPTURE OF ADEN. 211
and having on board 4-2-2 slaves. He was deservedly promoted on
February l5th, 1837.
The year 1837 witnessed the capture of numerous other slavers.
In the West Indies, the Snake, 16, Commander Alexander Milne,
was particularly successful, making prize, on November 23rd, of
the Portuguese brigantine Arrofiante, with 406 negroes, and on
December oth, of the Spanish schooner Matilda, with 529. The
Scout, 18, Commander Robert Craigie, on January 11th, took a
Portuguese vessel having no fewer than 576 slaves on board. The
ill-starred rebellion in Canada did not afford much work for the
Navy ; but it enabled a naval officer, Commander Andrew Drew,
who happened to be upon the spot, to distinguish himself greatly.
On December 29th, 1837, Drew most daringly cut out from under
Fort Schlosser, on the American side of the Niagara, the American
steamer Carolina, which was being useful to the rebels, and sent her
in flames over the great Falls. For this exploit he was thanked by
the Governor and two Houses of Upper Canada, and appointed
commodore of the provincial marine. In that capacity, with his
broad pennant in the hired armed steamer Colhorne, he commanded
on Lake Erie from October, 1838, till August, 1839. The Com-
modore of H.M. ships on the Lakes in 1838 was Captain AVilliams
Sandom, of the Nlurjara, 20, who was able to save the towns of
Brockville and I'rescott from destruction. When the latter town
was attacked, on November 13th, 1838, Sandom's force, aiding the
troops, was instrumental in driving l^ack the rebels, and forcing
them to surrender.'
The year 1H39 saw the addition of the important strategical
position of Aden added to the possessions of the British crown. For
some time there had been disputes ; but in January, 1838, the local
Sultan had been prevailed upon to agree to make certain territorial
concessions. The Abdella tribe, however, ulliniately declined to
carry out its written promise to hand over the town of Aden to the
Pjritish ; and at length it declared war, by opening fire upon tiic
H. E. I. C'o.'s corvette, Coofc, and her boats. In the menntiuio,
Kear-Adniiral Sir Fredt^rick Lewis Maitland (2), Connnander-in-
Chief in the East Indies, had despatched an expedition under
Captain Henry Smith (2), of the Vola(/c, 28, in support of the
claims of his country. That expedition arrived off Aden on January
l(')ili, 1S39, and, on the same evening, Smith received finm ilie
' Oazetfe, 1838, p. 297."..
278 MILITARY HISTOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Political Agent a letter setting forth what had taken place, and
requesting him to take measures for the immediate capture and
occupation of the place. The Agent, Captain J. B. Haines, I.N., had
taken refuge on board the Coofe. Smith then had with him H.M.S.
Cruiser, 16, Commander Eichard Henry King, the H. E. I. Co.'s
cruisers Coote, and Make, a mortar boat, and the transports Lowjee
Family, Ann Crichton, and Ernaad, with troops from India, under
Major Baillie.
"On the morniug of the 18th," says Captain Smith iu his dispatch, " 1 weighed
with the squadron, to proceed to the front of the town, which I reached in the after-
noon, in company with the Cruiser, towing a mortar boat, and the Make, schooner.
On standing in towards the island of Seerali,' a fire was opened on the ship, with
musketry and several large gun.s, when 1 commenced a partial attack. The Coote,
corvette, and transports, not having come up, I anchored for the night. On the
morning of the 18th, the whole force having arrived, I made the signal to prejiare to
attack, and the troops to be held in readiness for landing in two divisions. At half-
past nine the Volage anchored with a spring on her small bower cable, in fuur fathoms
of water, at about 300 yards' distance from the lower battery on the island of Secrah.
At the same time the Malie took up her position to the southward of the island. On
standing in the enemy opened a fire of great guns and musketry on. us; but, the ship
being laid so close to the shore, the guns on the heights were rendered useless, their
shot passing over us. At ten o'clock the Cruiser anchored, and was of essential
service in destroying the flank of the battery. During this period a heavy firing was
kept up ; but, in a short time, two of the guns in the lower battery were dismounted,
and most of the people were driven from the remainder. They, however, took shelter
behind the ruins of the battery, and kept up an incessant fire of musketr.y on the
ships ; and, although the lower battery was almost knocked to pieces, stiil we had
great difficulty in dislodging the men. At this period I directed the fire to be opened
on the round tower and batteries on the heights, which were filled with men armed
with matchlocks ; and in the course of one hour I had the satisfaction to see this
tower, though 60 feet high, and strongl\- built, a mass of ruins. At 11 o'clock the
Coote anchored with the second division of the troops to the southward of the island,
and opened her fire upon the town. Finding the fire had not ceased from the lo^^■er
battery, I directed the Make, schooner, to proceed to the end of it, and endeavoiu' to
drive out the men from behind it by musketry. This service was performed by her
commander. Lieutenant Daniels, in a most gallant manner, but 1 regret to say that
Mr. Nesbitt, midshipman, was severely wounded.
"The fire having now almost entirely ceased, I gave directions for the boats of
both divisions to land. Lieutenant Dobree,* who had charge of the first division,
Mr. Kundle,' Mate, and a quartermaster of this ship, were the first on shore, and made
for a 68-pounder, which had been fired at us several times ; when a matchlock was
fired at the quartermaster b)' a man behind the gun, who was immediately cut down
by him ; and the first British flag was planted by Mr. Kundle. So completely were
the enemy driven from all points, with the exception of the island, by the fire of the
shi]is, that the whole of the troops landed with the loss of only two men killed and
wounded.
' Sirah, opposite the town.
' Thomas Peter Dobree, promoted for this service. May 1st, 1839.
' Joseph Sparkhall Rundle, Lieut, for this service. May 1st, 1839.
1839.] THE OPIUM QUESTION. 279
"A partial firing was kept u|i t'roin the island, wiien I directed Lieutenant Dobree,
who had returned, with two Mates, Messrs. Stewart ' atnl Rundle, with a party of
seamen, and Lieutenant .\yles- with the Marines, amounting .altogether to 50, to land
and take [wssessiou of it. This was gallantly accomplished, the party ascending the
heiglits, spiking and dismounting the guns, taking the fiag which had been flyhig
fioni the tower, and making prisoners of 139 armed Arabs, who were conducted from
the island to the main by the party, and given over into the charge of Major Osborne.
In an attempt to disarm the prisoners, made by the military, they made a most
formidable resistance ; and I regret to say that many lives were lost on both sides.
Mr. Xesbitt, a midshipman of the Mahe, was the only person hurt on board the
squadron : on the part of the military, IG were killed ami wounded, most of them
dangerously ; and one sergeant has since died."
Captain Smith luentious in his dispatch that he beheved the
place to have been held by more than 1(X)0 men. Their loss is
unknown, but amounted certainly to upwards of .50. The guns
captured in the town and defences were 'A3 in number, 2.5 being in
battery ; and the}' included one brass 89-pr., one brass 8o-pr., one
brass 68-pr., one brass 32-pr., and four 18-prs., the rest being small. ^
As only 114 matchlocks were taken, it is tolerablj' clear that the
Arabs made as good a resistance as could be expected. The post,
which was afterwards formally purchased by the East India Com-
pany, was even then important as a station on the overland route
to India. As a coaling port, especially since the opening of th(!
Suez Canal, it has become immensely vahial)le to the Navy, as well
as to the mercantile marine.
Early in the same year the troubles with Afghanistan and
Persia, and the refusal of Coloiiel Pottinger's demand for a passage
through the territory of Scind for the army under Sir John Keane,
led to a slight outbreak of hostilities on the shores of the Persian
Gulf and the Arabian Sea. On February '2nd and 3rd, in the course
of the operations, Kurrachee was captured by a naval force under
Rear-Adniiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland (2), in conjunction with
troops from India. The ships chiefly engaged were the ]\'('llcsU'!j,
74 (flag). Captain Thomas Maitland, and the Algerine, 1(J, Com-
mander William Sidney Thomas. One of the results of this action
was the signature of the Treaty of Hyderabad.
The next work of the Navy was of a much more arduous
character.
For several years prior to 1820 India had exported opium to
China, where the drug was admitted, subject to a fixed duty. In
' liobert Arthur Stewart, Lieut, for this service. May 1st, 1839; Com., 1815.
' Lieut. John George Augustus ,\ylcs, R.M.
' Gaz<'tt>; lS3n, Of;!(; Xaiit. .V,i;/., 1H39, 351.
280 MILlTAlir I/ISTOBV OF THE nOYAL XAVY, 1816-1856.
1820, however, the Chinese Government issued a proclamation
against the trade, which thenceforth became ilHcit, although it con-
tinued to flourish, thanks largely to the willingness of most of the
mandarins to accept bribes, and to the fact that not a few of them
were personally interested in the traffic. In 1837 stricter measures
were adopted bj' the government ; and foreign ships were ordered to
quit the coasts of China, and foreign merchants to leave Canton
and proceed to Macao, which then, as now, was Portuguese
territorj'. To enforce these orders, one Lin was ultimately
appointed governor of Canton ; but not until December 3rd, 1838,
did the Chinese authorities begin to take such active measures as
In'ought them into conflict with their western neighbours. On that
day they seized some smuggled opium ; and, a little later, they
expelled from Canton the British merchant to whose warehouse
the opium was being carried. Eiots and recriminations followed ;
Captain Charles Elliot, E.X., Chief Superintendent of British Trade
in China, had to intervene ; the river traffic was impeded ; and when,
on February 26th, 1839, the Chinese police executed in front of the
foreign hongs a native accused of opium dealing, all the consuls in
the city struck their flags, and H.M.S. Lame, the only British
man-of-war in port, though then about to depart for India, was
detained at the request of the merchants. In March, Lin required
that all opium on board ships in the river should be surrendered ;
and, pending compliance with his demand, he suspended the issue
of passports, and of permits to foreigners to move beyond the hmits
of the factories. On March 24th, Captain Elliot, who had been
to Macao, returned to Canton, and hoisted the British flag over his
quarters in the British factor)'. He was siibjected to some
indignities by the Chinese authorities ; yet, in the interests of
justice, he made arrangements that all opium then in the river in
British bottoms should be given i;p. Many thousands of chests
had been thus surrendered, when, owing to new demands and
insolent conduct on the part of Lin, delivery was suspended by
Elliot's direction. The Chinese appeared to give way, and the
surrender of opium went on as before ; but, in the middle of May,
Lin's attitude and military preparations became so threatening that
Elliot formally warned British subjects that Canton was no longer
a place in which they could reside with safet}- or honour, and that
they would do wisely to withdraw at once. On Maj* 23rd, by
which date 20,283 chests of opium had been handed over, Elliot
1839.] THE FIRST CIJISA WAR. 281
himself left Canton for Macao ; and on the SOth, he despatched
from Macao to Suez a fast clipper with news of what had occurred.
The opium, which had Ijeen collected at Chunhow, and which was
said to be worth £2, -500,000, was presently destroyed by order of
Commissioner Lin.'
After the abandonment of Canton, the harbour of Hong Kong
became the chief rendezvous for British shipping in China. Lin,
however, erected batteries to command the anchorage, and occupied
the Kosvloon peninsula on the north side of the harbour; while,
on the other hand, the idle seamen got into trouble on shore. In
spite of the situation thus created, Hong Kong became daily more
and more a British centre, owing to the fact that the hostility of
the Chinese soon made it impossible for British residents to remain
at Macao, except at the risk of compromising the Portuguese
authorities there. Captain Elliot removed from Macao to Hong
Kong on August iBrd, and, though the town was not formally
ceded until iM-il, it was thenceforward practically British. Pro-
vocation and oi;trage continued ; and when, on August 30th,
H.M.S. VoJar/e, 22, Captain Henry Smith (2), reached Macao, and at
once proceeded to Hong Kong, her arrival was extremely welcome.
On September 4th, the refusal of the Chinese at Kowloon to permit
the transit of provisions across the harbour obliged Captain Smith,
in concert with Mr. James Douglas,- of the Ca»ibrid(je, formerly
of the H.E.I. Co.'s marine, to employ his boats to drive off a
squadron of war-junks, and so to open a passage for the supplies.
Further outrageous action induced Elliot to call upon Smith to
proclaim a blockade^ of the port of Canton as from September 11th.
Negotiations were subsequently entered into ; but Elliot displayed
such unwise weakness that the Chinese were only encouraged to
persist in their implacable attitude. At length, the Hi/aciiifh, 18,
Commander William Warren, having joined the Vohnic, Elliot
stiffened himself so far as to inform the Chinese, on October 28th,
that if the British shipping lying below the Bogue were subjected
to more of certain annoyances which had bcL-ome intolerable, re-
taliatory measures would be adopted. The Chinese admiral, Kwan,
returned first a tcm])orising and then an insulting answer, and on
' Ouclitcrlony's ' Cliiiiesc W.ir,' l-'JO.
'' ArtcrwardK Sir James Douglas. 'I'he Vamhridije was puiiliased by the Cliinebe
government ere regular hostilities began.
^ TIiIh was aftervvariis relaxed.
282 MILITARY Ill.^TOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1810-1856.
November 3rd got under way with twenty-nine junks, evidently
intending to attack. Smith made a further fruitless attempt to
negotiate, and then, with the Volage and Hijachtfli, opened tire, and
in a short time won a success which would have been much more
complete than it was, but for the interference of Elliot, who, when
three junks had been sunk and as many more driven ashore,
procured a cessation of the tiring, alleging his desire to spare the
lives of the Chinese. Kwan, on returning to Canton, was thus
able to boast that he had been victorious ; and he was rewarded
accordingly.
During the winter and spring, little or nothing was done on
the spot by the British, although the Chinese continued to collect
troops, to build and arm forts, and to excite their people against
the foreigners. Biit at home and in India preparations were made
for hostile action on a larger scale than had been possible when
two small vessels only were available. Rear- Admiral Sir Frederick
Lewis Maitland (-2), K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies,
would, in the ordinary course, have commanded the e.xpedition ;
but he died on December 30th, 1839 ; and the direction of affairs
then passed temporarily to the surviving senior officer on the
station, Captain Sir James John Gordon Bremer. Eear-Admiral
the Hon. George EUiot (3), C.B., and Captain Charles Elliot were
appointed royal commissioners to deal with the Chinese Govern-
ment, the former having also the command afloat ; and, early in
May, 1840, a squadron, having on board about 3600 infantry," and
some royal artillery and engineers, was assembled at Singapore,
where, however, Eear-Admiral Elliot had not yet appeared.
In June the squadron '•' proceeded, and, on the 21st, halted off the
Great Ladrones to communicate with Macao. There Bremer declared
a blockade of the Canton river, to begin on June 28th, and thence
he went on to the northern harbour of Chusan, where lay a few
war junks. He entered unopposed ; but the local authorities,
pleading lack of power to treat, refused to surrender the island.
Accordingly, at 2 p.m. on July .5th, fire was opened upon the
defences of Tinghae, and upon the junks ; and in a few minutes
the enemy was silenced, and the junks were driven ashore or
' Inchulius H.M. lSt]i, '2Gth, and 4&th Kegts., the whole niiUtary force being undei-
CoL Bun-ell, 18th Begt.
" Then consisting of WeUeshy, 74; AUiijator, 28; Conway, 28; Lame, 20;
Ahjerine, 10; Ratthsnake, G; the two H.E.I. Co.'s steamers Atalaiita, and Madagascai ,
and 2() trans]iort.s and storeships. Other vessels jomed soon afterwards.
1810.] B OUR cm Eli AT AMOY. 283
reduced Lo wrecks. In this affair the WeUedeij, 74, Commodore Sir
Jarues John Gordon Bremer, Captain Thomas Maitland, Coiiwat/,
28, Captain Charles Eamsay Drinkwater Bethmie, and Algerine, 10,
Lieutenant Thomas Henry INIason, took the leading parts. ^ The
town and island were then occupied, after some resistance had been
offered. Ere the fighting was quite over, Eear-Admiral Elliot, in
the MclriUe, 74, Captain the Hon. Richard Saunders Dundas,
arrived on the scene to assume command. In his eagerness to
participate, he ran ashore his ship, then in tow of the H.E.I. Co.'s
steamer Atalanta ; and subsequently he had to hoist his flag in the
WeUesley, leaving the Blenheim, 74, Captain Sir Humphrey Fleming
Senhouse, which joined soon afterwards, to heave down the Melville,
and to assist in repairing her.
In the meantime, letters addressed by Lord Palmerston to the
advisers of the Emperor were sent in to Chinhae, at the mouth of
the Ningpo I'iver, and to Amoy. At Chinhae the communication
was examined by the local mandarins, and returned as being of a
nature too insulting for transmission. At Amoy, on July 3rd, the
mandarins, besides refusing to receive the message, fired treacher-
ously on an unarmed boat of the Blonde ; whereupon Captain
Thomas Bourchier, of that frigate, opened a heavy fire, and did not
desist until he had reduced to silence all the works on shore.
Then, leaving on the beach a copy of the letter, attached to a
))amboo, he rejoined the scjuadron. A Ijlockade of the Ningpo river
and of the coast northward to the Yangtsekiang was- soon after-
wards proclaimed ; and the Eear-Admiral, with several vessels,-
departed to the Gulf of Petchili to negotiate. During the period of
inactivity that followed, disease ravaged the troops at Chusan, there
being, between July 13th and December 31st, no fewer than
^'&2\) admissions to ho.spital, and 448 deaths there among the
I'jinipeans alone. It would liave been wi.ser to employ the force
to impress the Chinese with a full sense of British power; for the
negotiations were prolonged, and, even while they continued, tlic
Chinese committed further outrages, which were never propcilx
resented and punislicd. Tin: Alijerini- ]i:id on one occasion to defend
' Among the onicers commended in Bremer'n dispntch were Captains Betliuuc,
Maillaud, and Aug. Leop. Kuper (act?, of .IW/yrt^oc, 28) ; CommandeiR Henry Wells
GilVard (Cruiser), and John \'en()ur FIctelicr ( II V/fes/ey); Lieut. Thos. Hy. Mason;
Master Wm. Brodic (conidg. trooper lialthsniiki; 'JH) ; Mate C. E. Hodgkinson (conidg.
schooner Ynun/j Ilrhc); and Uapt. Samuel Burdou Ellis, li.M.— G</-(«c, 18-10, p. •J'.tiil.
" luiluiin^ Wcllesky, lihivh, Fi/ht'lm, Voht'je, and ModcUe.
284 MILITARY niSTOHy OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
herself against a Chinese battery at Chapoo ; Midshipman Harvey,
and a seaman of the Conicaij lost their lives in a foraging expedition
at the western end of Tsungming ; ^ and on August 6th, an unpro-
voked attack, made upon a clergyman in Casilha Bay, near Macao,
brought about decided action by Captain Henry Smith (2), of the
Druid, 44, who, with the Hi/aciiitJi, 20, Lame, 20, Louisa, ci;tter,
Enterprise, steamer, and boats containing 120 Marines under Liei;-
tenant William Robert Maxwell, R.M., 80 seamen under Lieutenant
George Goldsmith, and 180 Bengal volunteers, under Major Mee,
assaulted and captured the Chinese works behind Macao, spiking
seventeen guns, sinking two junks, and having only four o| his
people wounded.
At Amoy, also, where Commander Augustus Leopold Kuper, of
the Alligator, 28, maintained a blockade, the threatening attitude
of a large fleet of war-junks, led to the destruction of several of
them, and to other reprisals. But Kuper had to abandon an
attempt, which he made, to force the passage between Kolangso
and Amoy harbour ; and consequently the Chinese were left with
the conviction that they had won an important success. Nowhere
were they made to feel that they were dealing with foes who were
vastly their superiors. Nowhere were thej' crushingly and con-
vincingly defeated. A truce, however, was concluded on November
()th, 1840. As early as the 21st of the same month it was violated
by the Chinese, who, upon the appearance of the steamer Queen,
Actg. Master William Warden, with a white flag, off the Bogue
Forts, lired upon her boat. Warden retaliated with his 68-prs., and
then rejoined the Kear-Admiral, who was in the Mclcillc, 74, at
Macao. The outrage should have been promptly and very severely
punished by the Commander-in-Chief : but both the Elliots, in their
dealings with the Chinese, who wanted only to gain time, continued
to betray most regrettable weakness ; and it must have been with a
sense of relief that on November 29th, the British merchants learnt
that the Eear-Admiral, on accoimt of sudden and severe illness,,
had resigned his command into the stronger bands of Commodore
Sir James John Gordon Bremer. Eear-Admiral Elliot quitted
Chusan in the Volage, on December 7th, 1840. and returned to
England.
Negotiations between Captain Elliot and the Chinese com-
missioner, Keeshen, dragged on until the end of the year. Elliot^
' Since called Harvey Point.
1841.] STOHMING OF CHUENPEE FORT. 285
in the WeUesleii, lay at Lintin, near the forts of Chuenpee and
the Bogue, which were ahuost daily strengthened. The expe-
ditionary force also, at this time, was increased, notahly hy the
arrival of seven companies of the 37th Madras Native Infantry,
and of the new H.E.I. Co.'s iron steamer Nemesis, Master William
Hutcheon Hall,' K.N., "a vessel," saj-s Ouchterlony, "destined to
hi xevy conspicuous in all the most important achievements of
the war."
At length even Captain Elliot realised that he was being trifled
with, and made a laughing-stock of by the Chinese ; and it was
determined to attack the approaches to Canton. On the morning
of January 7th, 18J:1, therefore, about 1400 Eoyal Marines, and
troops, under Major Pratt, of the ^Gth Eegiment, having been
landed two miles south of Chuenpee fort, pushed on against that
work, while the CaUiope, Lame, Hyacinth, Queen, and Nemesis
dropped anchor abreast of the batteries, and opened fire. The
fort was soon rushed, a landing-partj' from the squadron entering
almost at the same moment from the sea-front ; and the enemy
was driven away with terrible loss. On the British side the total
casualties in this affair were 38 wounded. Simultaneouslj', Captain
James Scott, with the Samarang, Druid, Mocleste, and Columbine,
proceeded a little further up the river, and hotly bombarded the
fort of Tycocktow, on the right, or south bank, for an hour. He
then landed Marines and small-arms men, and, with some little
difficulty, cleared and occupied the works at the point of the
bayonet and cutlass. In the assault. Lieutenant James Paterson
Bower, of the Samarang, was among the wounded.
That day the Nemesis, shallow of draught, well-armed, and ably
handled, did wonders. After shelling Chuenpee at close range,
and pouring grape into the i-mbrasures of the fort, she pushed
' William KutclieMii HiiU had entered the Xavy in 1>S11, and was a Master of
May 30th, 1823. One of the first British officeis to make a thorough study of steam,
lie was given command of the Nemesis in November 1830, and, iu consequence of his
brilliant services in her, the Admiralty procured au t)rder in Council to enable it to
make him a Lieutenant on January 8th, 1841. The Admiralty later obtained jiowcr
to enable him to count his time in the Ni'inesis as if it had been served in one of II. M.
ships, and made him a CHinmander, June 10, 18-13, and a Caiitain, October "J^nd, IMII.
He was the inventor uf Hall's |iatent anchor, and of iri^n bilge tanks. In 18-17 he was
elected an F.ll.S. His career, exceptional though it was, indicates that sometimes at
least the .\dmiralty is willing to ilepart from the rules of ied-ta]ie ratlicr tliim neglect
true merit. He was made a Rcar-Adm. in 1803, and a K.C.B. in 1807. In 1860 ho
retired, and died in 1878.
1841.] ACTION NEAR ASUNGHOY. 287
on over the shallows into Anson's Bay, and there attacked eleven
war junks at anchor. Her first rocket directed at these set fire
to one of the largest, which presently hlew up with all on board :
and, aided by boats from the; squadron. Hall soon destroyed all
the others.
The works were dismantled, the gtms, 97 in number, disabled,
and the buildings and stores burnt. On the 8th, the fleet, led
by the Bleiilicim, 74, Captain Sir Humphrey Fleming Senhouse,
advanced to attack the Bogue forts ; but, when the vessels got almost
within range of Anunghoy, they were met by a Chinese emissary,
bearing a request for a suspension of hostilities ; and once more,
accordingly, Captain Elliot, as High Commissioner, began negotia-
tions. He should have first razed to the ground the forts between
him and Canton. On Januaiy 20th, nevertheless, he was able to
announce that he bad concluded a preliminary arrangement, in
virtue of which Hong Kong was to be ceded in perpetuity to Great
Britain, an indemnity of $6,000,000 was to be paid m instalments,
and official intercourse and trade w^ere to be reopened. Hong
Kong was formally taken possession of on the ^Gth, under a royal
salute; and the island of Chusan, at about the same time, was
evacuated. On January 27th, Elliot proceeded in the Nemesis
to a point near AVhampoa, and resumed the conferences, which,
he reported, were going on "satisfactorily," though he also declared
that British merchants and others must not yet think of returning
to Canton, save at their own risk. More meetings, and more
procrastination followed. The Chinese, while parleying, brought
up fresh troops, and mounted more guns hour by hour. At length
Elliot lost patience, and sent the Nemesis to demand an instant
ratification of the treaty. Hall failed to get it ; and hostilities were
forthwith recommenced .
On February 20th, Bremer, who had fallen down the river after
January 8th, again pushed up with the fleet to the neighbourhood
of Anunghoy; and, on the 'JHrd, the Nonesis, aided by boats from
the Calliope, Samaranc/, Herald, and Alligator, the w'hole under
Captain Thomas Herbert, broke up a force which was endeavouring
to olistruct a channel at the back of Anunghoy, carried a masked
battery and field-work, iind spiked about 80 guns, without the loss
of a mail. Of the Chinese about 30 fell.
" XJp to tlie prcsoit time," nays Diiditeilony, " tlie ordinary jiassn^'e by whicli vcBselH
of any conBidcralile buiiien entered tlie t'antou liiver was tliat between the islands ol'
288 MILITARY HlSTony OF THE liOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Vessels of the Eoyal Kavy, akd of the Hon. East India Company's
Service, engaged in the Operations in China, 1839-42.
^>hips.
I Guus.
H.M. Ships:—
'^A!gerine. . . .
10
*AlHgator . . .
26
*Alutllo, trp. s. . .
*liMeisle, trp. .s. .
Bentinck, surv.
46
72
10
*Blcnheiin
72
*Bloinlc ....
Cavibriaii . . .
42
36
*CaUiojie. . . .
26
'ChaOers. . . .
16
*rlu>
11)
*Colum})ine .
16
*Conway ....
26
*CornwaUis . . .
72
*Crutser ....
16
•y>ido
•Z)ri(t<J ....
*Endyviio» .
*Haiiequiv . . .
"Hazard ....
*nerald ....
la
44
44
16
18
26
"Hyacinth . . .
18
"Jupiter, trp. s. . .
—
"iMTTie ....
IS
Louisa, tender . .
—
"MelttilU ....
72
"Modeste ....
18
"Ximrod ....
20
"yorth Star . . .
Pelican ....
"Plover, surv. . .
26
18
"Pylades ....
18
" RattleSTiake, trp. s.
"Saviarang ...
"Sapphire, trp. s. .
"Starlitig, surv. oiitt.
"Sulphur, s'lrv. . .
"\ ixen, paiM. . .
28
26
29
6
8
6
* Volage
*Welh'stei/ . . .
Young Hebe, teuder
. E. I. Co. 's ships:—
Atalanta. . . .
Auckland, str. .
Auiwa ....
Enterprise .
Madagascar, etr. .
3fedusa, str. .
Nemesis^ str.
Phlegethon, str.
Pluto, str. . . .
Proserpine, str. . i
^uecn, str. . . .
SesostHs, str. .
rcnasse?'m(, str.
26
16
72
Commauders.
Remarks.
Lieut. 'Ihos. Hy. Masou.
Leop. Kiiper (acta
...jf
(Com. Aug.
I Capt.).
Com. Chas. Krederick.
Capt. Juo. Kiugcome.
Lieut. Kich. Colliuson.
fCapt. Sir Humph. Fleniiiig
( huiise, Kt.
Capt. '1 hos. Bourchier.
Capt. Hy. Pucie i^'haiis. C.H.
Capt. Thos. Herbert.
Com. E<tw. Pellew Halsted.
I i Com. Edw. Norwich Troubridge
I I (uctg. Capt.).
I/Lieut. Thos. Jurdfiiue Clarke (actg
|1 Com.),
IfCapt. Cli. Eaiu^ay Driukwateri
:\ Bethuue. i
||R.-Ad. Sir Wm. Parker (2), K.C.B,
K'apt. Peter Richards.
I Com. Hy. AVells Giffard.
Capt. Huu. Henrv Keppel.
: Capt. Hy. 8mitb\2), C.B.
. Capt. Hou. Fredk. \Vm. Grey.
Com. Lerd Fras. Jno. Russell.
i Com. Chas. Bell.
Capt. Joseph Nias.
Com. A\'m. Warreu.
Master Robt. Fulton.
Com. Aug. Leop. Kuper
Mate Thos. Caniiicbael.
|R.-Ad. Hon. George Elliot (3). C.B.
(Capt. Hou. Rich. ?>auni!ers Duudus.
Com. Harry Eyi-es.
Com. Chas. Austruther Barlow.
Capt. Sir Jas. Everard Hnme, Bt.
I Com. Chas. Geo. Elers Napier.
j Com. Rich. Colliusun.
' Com. Talavera Vernou Ausou.
j Master William Brudie.
I Capt. Jas. Scott.
Master Geo. \Vm. Nembhard.
Lieut. Hy. Kellett.
Com. ^dward Belcher.
Com, Hy. Buyes.
j(Com. JuueSth, 1841. From Oct. 10th, 1841,
\\ Lieut. AVm. Heriot Maitland.
|Later, Com. Pat. Jno. Blake (act g. Capt.).
[-.'l-roni Jau. I4tb, 1S41, Com. (aud Capt.)
( Sam. Perkin^ Pritchard.
Com. June 18tb, 1841. See Plover.
I (iJied in com. June 14tb, 1841, Capt. Thos.
/ t Herbert (K.C.B. Oct. 14th, 1841). See
, C.B. Juue 2Iitb, 1341. ICalliope.
rFrom June 14th, 1841. Capt. Aug. Leop.
I Kuper (C.B. Jan. 21st, 1842).
Com. JuueSid. 1840; Capt. Juue8th, 1841,
From Oct. I6th, 1841, Com. Wm. Hy,
Andersuu Morshead.
C.B. July 29th. 1841.
See Well-sky.
fCapt. June 8lh, 1841. From Oct. liith,
i 1841, Com. Jos. I'eai-se.
C.B. June 29th. 1841.
/Capt. May 6th, 1841. From .Aug. 14th,
I ls41, Com. Geo. Goldsmith.
Later, Master Geo. B. Hoflmeister.
/From Jan. I7th, 1840, Capt. Pat. Jno.
11 Blake.
I Lieut. June !-th, 1S41. Wrecked, 184L
I During earlier <.peratiuns.
(Capt. May 6th, 1841 ; C.B. Oct. 14th, 1841.
i Later, Com. Ruudle Burges AVat.'^on.
iCapt. June 8th, I84l ; C.B. Oct. I4th, 1841.
•J Later, Com. Jos. Pearse. Later, Com.
I Fiedk. Hy. Hastiugs Glasse.
Capt. Nov. 1st, 1841.
Later, Com. Louis
Capt. Hy. Smith (2).
Com. Edw. Norwich Troubridge.
,R.-Ad. Sir Fredk. Lewis Maitland
(2). K.C.B.
ICapt. Ibos. Maitland.
Mate Rich. Robt. Quiu.
— Com. R. Ethersey, LN.
Capt. Dicey. LN.
Lieut. W. H. Hewitt, LN.
Master AVm. Hutcheou Hall, R.N.
(Lieut. Jas. Joimstone M'Cleverty,
t R.N.
Lieut. -Jno. Tudor, R.N.
Com. Juo. Jas. Hough, B.N.
.\ctg. Master Wm. Warden, R.N.
I'uui. H. A. Ormsby, LN.
Aitg. Master A. P. Wall. R.N.
(■Capt. June 8th. 1841.
( Symonds Tiudal.
Died iu com. Later, Master Jas. Spreut.
C.B. June 29th, 1841.
I Com. May l-th, 1841.
I Capt. May 6tb, 1341; C.B. Oct. I4tb, 1841.
(From June 3utb, 1840, Com. Geo. Aug. Elliot
) cactg. (^ apt.l. Later, (_'apt. Wm. Warren,
\ aud. on Aug. 30th, 1841, Capt. Sir Wm.
I Dickson, Bart.
Later, (_'om. stepb. Grenville Fremautle.
! From Jan. ITtb, l840,Comuiod. sir J.J. G.
Bremer, Kt., C.B., with Capt. Maitland.
Later, flag of R.-Adm. Sir Wm. Parker
(2), (V.-Adm. Nov. 23rd. 1841).
Later, Lieut. Wm. Cutterell Wood.
Burnt by accident, 1842.
Lieut. Jan. 8th. 1841.
IMedals were granted to these ships.
1841.] THE FLEET IN TEE CANTON RIVER. 289
Xorth and South Wangtung and the [jeak of Anunghoy ' ; but it had been for some
time known that a safe channel also existed to tlie westward; and no pains had been
spared to render tlie latter as difilcidt and dangerous as possible by bringirg the fire
of two formidable batteri- s, of 45 and 40 guns, to bear upon it : the one constructed on
the western extremity of North Wangtung, the other on the opposite or right bank
the river. From Anunghoy a strong chain had been carried, right across the eastern
passage, to a rocky poinr near a formidable battery which had for years existed on the
eastern tongue of North Wangtung, where its end was made fast, the chain being held
up to within a few feet of the water by means of a line uf rafts."
But the Chinese had omitted to occupy the lower island lying
within point-blank range of North Wangtung, to the southward ;
and there, on the night of February 25th, with the assistance of
some seamen, three howitzers were mounted in a sandbag battery.'
At daybreak on the following morning they opened fire upon the
works on North Wangtung. Several hours elapsed, owing to a
calm, ere the fleet was able to move up, yet in the interval the
Chinese artiller)' failed to do any harm to the howitzers, or their
gunners. At 11 A.M., however, the Blenhe'uii and Queen anchored
abreast of the large battery of Anunghoy, and the Melville, passing
ahead, brought up with her port bow guns bearing on the eastern
battery of Wangtung. By noon, the action on the eastern side
of the river was general. The Welle.sley, Dndd, and Modeste in the
meantime entered the western channel, and engaged the battery
on North Wangtung, and a fort and camp on the opposite bank ;
while the Calliope, Herald, Samarang, and Alligator pressed on to
the northward of the Chinese defences, firing their starboard
broadsides into the lower Wangtmig battery as they passed. After
about an hour's cannonade, Captain Sir Humphrey Fleming
Senhouse, with 300 seamen and Koyal Marines, landed under
Anunghoy, and carried the works without much trouble. The
Chinese admiral, Kwan, was killed there. North Wangtung was
similarly carried by the troops, and many prisoners were taken ;
and at 1 i>.!\i., when the Nemesis, with some of the Wcllesley's
boats, was sent against the fort and camp on the Tycocktow side,
those positions were abandoned, and occupied without resistance.
The works there and at Anunghoy were destroyed ; but the North
Wangtung works were garrisoned, though the Chinese guns, being
almost useless, were disabled and thrown into the water.
While part of the squadron remained at the Bogue, an advanced
division,^ under Captain Thomas Herbert, of the Callhpe, moved
' See map, ]i. 28G.
^ Calliope, Nemesis, Maduyasair, Mudesic, llirald, Alliijator awA Siilji/mr.
VOL. VI. U
290 MILITARY IIISTORV OF THE ROYAL 2^AVY, 1816-1^56.
up with some boats from the Wcllesleij, and, on February 27th,
attacked the enemy's position at Second Bar, near Whampoa, where
a floating boom had been thrown across the river, flanked on one side
by an entrenched camp containing 2000 troops, and on the other
by the guns of the Cambrichje, the old H.E. I. Co.'s vessel, which
had been purchased by the Chinese before the outbreak of war.
The raft was cut through ; the enemy was driven off with heavy
loss ; and the Cambridge was boarded, captured, and blown up.
Herbert afterwards anchored in Whampoa reach. On March ^nd,
the Siilphar, with some boats, proceeded, took a masked battery
•on the N.E. end of Whampoa island, and occupied Howqua's
fort.' The Sulphur, with the Herald, Alligator, and Modeste, then
anchored in the stream between that fort and Napier island. On
the 3rd there was another brief suspension of hostilities. It
was at about that time that Major-General Sir Hugh Gough
arrived from Madras to take command of the military part of
the expedition.
By March 7th, Captain Elliot realised that he was again being
trifled with ; and the axmistice was declared to be at an end.
Between then and the 18th, all the enemy's works on the river
banks, as far as the factories at Canton, and along the deep-water
branch passage known as the Macao channel, were, one after
another, taken and destroyed. Many junks also were burnt or
scuttled. Yet, in the whole of the operations, no one on the
British side was killed in action, and but one man died of his
wounds. The Eoyal Marines employed were commanded by
Captain Anthony Blaxland Stransham,- who was wounded by an
explosion on the 17th, and was mentioned in dispatches for his
gallantry. In these affairs, especially in some which took place
on the 12th and 13th in the Broadway, a western passage between
Macao and Whampoa, the Nemesis rendered very valuable service.
She, and the boats which she had in tow, were responsible for the
capture and destruction of no fewer than 105 guns, and the burning
of nine junks. Lieutenant Hall displayed ener^- and resource
beyond praise.
On March 20th, Captain Elliot announced that yet another
armistice had been concluded vidth the imperial commissioner Yang,
who had succeeded Keeshen. In consequence of this, all the
' Also called Howqua's Folly.
" Died General Sir A. B. Stransham, G.C.B., in Oct. 1900, aged 95.
1841.] ATTACK OX CANTOX. 291
fleet, except some light craft of Captain Herbert's division, retui'ued
to Hong Kong, where Sir Hugh Gough busied himself in the
reorganisation of his small force, which was sadlj' depleted bj'
sickness, and by the recall of the Bengal volunteers. A little
later the Melville and Samarang sailed for England, and the
Madagascar and Queen, the latter beaiing Bremer's broad pennant,
went provisionally to Calcutta, where plans for further operations
were discussed. Indeed, it was evident that the troubles were still
only at their commencement. The edicts of the Chinese Emperor
breathed increasing animosity ; fresh defences were thrown up at
Chusan, Chinhae, and Amo}' ; and near Chusan Mr. Stead, master
of the transport Pesfoitjee, was barbarously murdered by villagers
and soldiers who had been promised a reward for the head of any
British subject. At Canton, however, the situation seemed for the
moment to have quieted down, so much so that manj' merchants
returned to their hongs ; and Captain Elliot himself took up
temporary residence. But, upon getting trustworthj^ news of
Mr. Stead's murder, Elliot sent the Columbine to Chusan to
demand redress. That vessel had to return without having been
allowed to communicate. She could only report that huge prepara-
tions fey.' war were going forward at Tinhae. Elliot was at that
time back at Hong Kong. When he returned to Canton on
May 11th, he not only discovered unmistakable signs that the
Chinese had negotiated only to gain time, but also was at last
persuaded that further parley was worse than useless, and that
Great Britain must unhesitatingly put forth her strength if she
would convince the enemy of the necessity of submission and
improved behaviour. He x-egained Hong Kong without delay,
and, on May 19th, induced the Commander-in-Chief to cause the
whole of the British forces, e.xcept the Druid and the small
garrisons of Hong Kong and North Wangtung, to be moved above
the Bogue, which was passed on the '20th.
Herbert was still at anchor off the factories. On the 21st Sen-
house took the Blenheim into the Macao passage, and anchored her,
as a kind of base, six miles below Canton. During the day the
British subjects remaining in the city quitted it, at EUiot's desire.
That night, from the crecjks above Shaming, a flotilla of flre-rafts
was let loose upon the Louisa, cutter, and Aurora, schooner, which
had just received on board the last of the fugitive merchants; and,
at the same time, the batteries, from Shaming to the Creek factoiy,
U 2
292 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
opened, the Louisa and Auror<t escaping to the month of the
Macao passage only because of the enemy's wretched aim. The
boats of the Herald, coming from Napier's Eeach, towed the fire-
rafts clear ; the Modeste, Pylades, and Algerine, from the Macao
passage, ran in and engaged some of the batteries ; and the Nemesis
steamed close in to the large battery at Shaming, and was there
for some time in difficulties under a heavy fire, her bow gun being
temporarily disabled, her rudder being jammed, and a rocket
hanging in a ti^be, and in its explosion badly burning Lieutenant
Hall. But the Marines, firing into the embrasures, disconcerted
the Chinese gunners ; and, at length, the Nemesis was again in
full fighting trim. She had been struck in many places, but her
casualties were quite trifling, and at dawn, having silenced the
Shaming battery, she pushed on, with the boats of the squadron
in tow, and destroyed a flotilla of 39 war junks and boats. In the
interval, first the mob and then the Chinese soldiery pillaged and
gutted the factories. It was, of course, necessary to effect a land-
ing in force in order to check the work of destruction. Captain
Edward Belcher, of the Sulphur, was sent to find a suitable point
for disembarkation. He reported in favour of a creek to the west-
ward of the city, whence there was no serious obstacle to the pass-
age of troops and guns to some forts crowning several eminences
on the north-west. Upon the fall of these forts, it would be
possible to establish a battery which should command the town,
and bring it to reason. Belcher, during his absence, destroyed
•28 war junks and row boats ; and he brought back with him a
number of decked craft, which proved most serviceable for the
business of disembarkation.
On Her Majesty's birthday, May 24th, a royal salute having
first been fired, the troops were landed in two divisions, and, after
a preparatory cannonade, the four forts on the heights were carried
at the point of the bayonet. A naval brigade, under Captain Thomas
Bourchier, participated in the assault, and, after the storming,
suffered somewhat severely from a heavy fire which burst out all
along the northern ramparts of Canton. All the captured works,
however, were held, in spite of a temporary failure of the ammuni-
tion supply ; and, in the course of the following day, fifteen guns
and howitzers were got into position before the walls. Just as the
batteries were read}' to open on the 27th, it was announced that the
enemy had proposed terms, which Captain EUiot had accepted. It
1841.] CAPTAIN ELLIOT'S WEAKNESS. 293
was stipulated that, upon tlie withdrawal of all imperial ' troops to
a distance of upwards of sixty miles from the city, and the payment
within one week of $6,000,000, and of an indemnity for damage
to British property, the British forces should retire \A'ithout the
Bogue, and restore all the captured forts, which, however, were
not to he rearmed pending a final settlement. It was not a wise
arrangement. Canton had not been occupied, and the provincial
mandarins had not been humiliated as they deserved after their
long course of treachery and duplicit}'. The British flag should
have been hoisted above the city ere any terms were listened to.
But Elliot believed that Gough had not sufficient force to hold the
place ; and so, as soon as the Chinese had carried out their share
of the undertaking, the expedition fell down the river. During the
armistice, however, the enemy to the west of the city attacked
the British in such force that a catastrophe was only averted by
the unhoped-for intervention of two companies of Eoyal Marines.
On the following day, in spite of Gough's remonstrances and
threats, a still more formidable attack was iminineut, until the
local authorities, at the last moment, dispersed their soldiery.
Thus, although the Chinese had lost heavily " in the various engage-
ments, it was open to them to pretend that thej'^ had not suffered
any decisive reverse. This was a dangerous possibility ; and it
should never have been left to them. It precluded, indeed, all
immediate prospect of a satisfactory settlement. Nor, in any case,
was Canton China.
The expedition retired to Hong Kong, where, within a few days
of its arrival, it had to regi-et the death, by fever, of Captain Sir
Humphrey Fleming Senhouse, who, in the absence of Bremer
elsewhere on the station, had most ably conducted the naval
portion of the operations in the river. His body was buried at
Macao.
Captain Elliot's management of political affairs had long since
failed to give satisfaction at home. A new era opened when he was
recalled, and superseded by Colonel Sir Henry I'ottinger, who left
England in May, in company with Kear-Admiral Sir William
Parker (2), who had been appointed to fill the vacancy in the East
Indies and China connnand occasioned by the death of Sir Frederick
' As distinct from provincial.
^ Tlie British loss in tbe entire operations was less than 130 killed, wounded, and
missing. The Chinese probably lost in all about lliOO men.
294 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1850.
Lewis Maitland (2). The two new heads reached Macao road on
board the H.E.I. Co.'s steam frigate Sesosfris on August 3rd, 1841.
In the interim Elhot had made arrangements for the government of
Hong Kong, and had adjusted certain claims for indemnity ; the
Conway and Calliope had been despatched, one to England and the
other to Calcutta, with the bulk of the Canton ransom money ; and
Gough's force had been strengthened by the arrival of a battalion
of the 5.5th Eegiment. Two bad tj'phoons had occasioned much
damage to the transports and men-of-war; and, during one of
them, on July '21st, Elliot, with Bremer, who had returned to China
in the Queen with the powers of joint plenipotentiary, had been
wrecked in the Louisa, cutter, between Macao and Hong Kong on a
piratical island, whence they had escaped only upon undertaking
to pay $3000 for their liberation.
Parker, Gough, and Pottinger were men who were not to be
contented with half measi;res. It was determined to strike a blow,
as soon as possible, to the northward ; and by August 20th the
fleet ^ and 21 transports, having on board about 2700 troops,- with
field guns and rocket tubes, being ready for sea, headed for Amoy.
Pottinger accompanied the expedition, after having declined to open
negotiations with the pro^ancial governments, and completed the
organisation of the administration of Hong Kong. On August 24th,
Amoy and the neighbouring fortified island of Kolangsoo were
•reconnoitred ; and, on the following day, the strong Chinese works
were bombarded, the Wellesley and Blenheim being laid alongside
the big shore batteries, the Druid, Blonde, and light craft deahng
with Kolangsoo, and the steamers landing troops and destroying
junks. It does not appear that even the broadsides of the two 74's
made much impression on the batteries, which were admirably
constructed ; but, when the troops assaulted, there was but little
resistance ; and, on the 26th, Amoy itself was occupied, having been
abandoned in the darkness. The chief loss on this occasion was
due to the Sesostris having towed under water a boat full of troops.
The Amoy batteries were dismantled, and aboiit 500 guns destroyed ;
and the place was evacuated, a garrison, however, being left at
Kolangsoo. On September 4th, the expedition proceeded for
Chusan ; but its progress was so impeded by fogs and baffiing winds
' Wellesley (flag), Blenheim, Druid, Blonde, Modesie, Pi/lades, ColumUite, Crnimr,
Algerine, Ratthsnal-e, Queen, Seso'iris, Nemesis, and Phlerjethon.
^ Including 18th, 49tli, and 5uth, and part of the 2Gth Britisii regiments.
1841.] TINGHAE AND CHINHAK TAKEN. 295
that great part of it did not make the rendezvous until towards the
end of the month. As elsewhere, the Chinese had immensely
strengthened their defences, and near Tinghae upwards of 200 guns
were in battery ; but the whole line of works was so laid out as to
be capable of being easily turned. On October 1st, therefore, while
the attention of the enemy was occupied by the ships, the troops
were landed on the Chinese right ; and, with some little loss, they
presently carried some heights which dominated the whole position.
The forts were then stormed, and Tinghae fell, not, unfortunately,
before the Eoyal Marines and the 18th Eegiment had had a number
of men hit. After the capture the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamed
round the island of Chusan in order to intercept escaping jimks or
boats. Tinghae was garrisoned, and the expedition ' moved on to
the mouth of the Ningpo river and to the city of Chinhae.
When, on October 9th, a reconnaissance was made, the estuary
was found to be strongly fortified, and the channel blocked with a
double row of piles, backed by a moored line of junks and gunboats.
On the lOtli, the position was attacked, the army being landed to
operate on the right bank, and a naval force disembarking on the
left. The latter, after a preliminary cannonade from the squadron,
captured Chinhae without much dithculty. On the other side of
the stream, the Chinese were caught between two columns ; and
something very much Uke a massacre took place ere the troops could
be induced to cease firing. Chinhae was held ; and, on the 13th,
when a flotilla of light craft pushed up to Ningpo, that important
city was found to have been evacuated. It promised to form a good
winter headquarters for the expedition, and was occupied as such.
In the meantime, the Chinese in the Canton river having com-
mitted infractions of the treaty of the previous May, Captain Joseph
Nias, of the Herald, senior naval officer at Hong Kong, took a small
force up the river, razed North Wangtung fort to the ground, sank
or burnt a number of junks, and shot a few persons whom he
believed to have been guilty of treacherous conduct. This was in
October ; but, upon the withdrawal of Nias, the Chinese at once
began to build pile barriers across both the IMacao passage and the
Junk river, and to constract new batteries. It was at about the
same time that the transport Ncrbu<hhi, proceeding northward with
camp-followers and a few men of the "(.Mli Regiment, was driven
' 'I'lie ships tluMi prt'seut were: Wellegleij, Blenheim, Blonde, Jupiter, CoUimUiie,
Bentinck, Matlleanake, Modcste, Nemesis, Queen, Phleyethon, Sesostris, :»U(1 Cniisir.
296 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
in a leak}' condition into a bay on the coast of Formosa, and there
basely abandoned bj- her European crew and passengers, who made
off in some of the boats, after having destroyed the others and all
the ammunition that was not taken away. The fugitives reached
Hong Kong, where Nias made a prisoner of the dastardly master
of the transport. The Nimrod was then despatched to the scene
of the wreck ; but she arrived too late. The wretched Indian
passengers, having been obliged to drift ashore on rafts and planks,
had there been seized by the savage inhabitants, and killed or made
prisoners. Ultimately, indeed, almost all of them were murdered,
though a few, after the conclusion of peace, were sent to Amoy
and handed over to the British.
The only further offensive operations of the expedition ere the
close of 1841 were at Tsekee, yu3'ao, and neighbouring places on
the Niugpo river, where, in December, the Sesosfris, Nemesis, and
Phlegethon assisted the troops in the captiu-e and destruction of
several small Chinese works ; but tbe tone of the Imperial edicts,
and the general attitude of the mandarins during the winter,
indicated that the campaign was still far from an end. Piracy,
too, was a source of much trouble, especially in the vicinity of
Amoy, where, on one occasion, a boat of the Druid, Captain Henry
Smith (2), C.B., lost several men by the sudden blowing up of a
large junk at the moment of boarding.
The active renewal of the campaign in the early spring of 1842
was the work of the Chinese. Gough was at Chusau conferring
with Sir WilUam Parker when, early in the morning of ]March 10th,
large bodies of the enemy made a most determined attack on Xingpo.
The west gate was successfully defended, but the south gate was
forced, and the city was entered by the foe. The Chinese were,
however, met in the streets, and driven back, while, in the river,
the Modeste, Sesostris, Columbine, and Queen dispersed some troops
which endeavoured to fire across the stream, and towed aside or
destroyed some fire-rafts which were sent down from above. The
attack was repulsed with great slaughter, though the British did
not have a man killed.
On the same daj', and at the same time, an attempt was made to
surprise Chinhae, where Colonel Schoedde, of the 55th Eegiment,
commanded ; but the Chinese were easily driven back, and the fire-
rafts, which, there as at Ningpo, were floated down the stream, were
dealt with by the boats of the Blonde and Hyacinth. Chusan was to
1842.] THE ATTACK ON CBAPOO. 297
have been attacked at about the same date, but news of the pro-
ject reached Parker, who sent the Nemesis to Taishan, where the
Chinese, who had gathered for the adventure, were dispersed, and
several junks were burnt.
Sir Hugh Gough at once returned to Niugpo, and, learning that
there was still a large Chinese army in the neighbourhood, marched
out on March 13th with about 900 men of all arms, and with the
Scsostiis on his flank. It was found, however, that this particular
army had retired beyond reach. A second army, under General
Yang, was known, however, to be at Tsekee, across the river ; and,
Sir William Parker, with several additional ships, and bluejackets
and Marines, having arrived at Ningpo on March 14th, an ex-
peditionary force was embarked ' on the following morning, and
landed fom- miles from Yang's position on the heights of Segaon,
behind Tsekee. With the troops was a naval brigade under Captain
Thomas Boiarchier. Parker also was with Gough. After some
stubborn fighting, a complete and, happily, a not very expensive
victory was won, the Navy's casualties numbering only fifteen. Of
the enemy, at least 4.50 fell. It was the most decided advantage
which had as yet been gained by the British since the occupation of
Chusau, where, by the way, a fresh attempt to burn the shipping
by means of fire-rafts was defeated on April 14th by some of the
boats of the CormoaUis, Nemesis, Jupiter, Hyacinth, Starling,
Pldeyethvn, and Bentincli.
It had been the desire of the Commanders-in-Chief to follow up
their success by an attack on Hangchowfoo, capital of the province
of Che-kiang; but deficient means of supply, and difiiculties of
navigation prevented such a stroke from being dealt ; and it was
finally resolved instead to proceed to Chapoo. Not, however, until
May 6th was the expedition able to leave Cliinhae ; and, although
the distance to lie travei-scd did not exceed sixty miles, the fleet did
not, as a whole, make its rendezvous until May 16th. In 1840 the
Alcjcrine, Lieutenant Thomas Henry Mason, had paid a flying visit to
the port, had been fired upon, and had silenced the battery which had
annoyed her. She had then had occasion to notice the coohiess and
stubljornness with which the local Tartar gunners fought their pieces.
Chapoo still had a Tartar garrison, which occupied the N.W. corner
' On this occasion there were employed the Phhr/cthon, Mode.ite, Nemesis, Quieti,
Hyacinth, Columbine, Sesoslris, luiil boats of Cornwall is anil Jllunde, with about li.'iO
seamen and Marines in the landing-jmrty.
298 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
of the city proper, and which, as will be seen, fully maintained its
reputation for tenacity. The town was reconnoitred on the 17th ;
and on the 18th all the troops were landed, to the N.E. of Chapoo, in
two coh;mns, one, on the right, to pass round the rear of the enemy,
who had taken up a position on the cliffs to the N.E. of the town,
the other, on the left, to flank the Chinese entrenchments. A third
landing-party, formed of seamen and Marines,^ was put ashore
nearer to the town, and nearly due east of it. The steamers in the
anchorage co-operated by shelling the Chinese. The advance of
the two British columns, went on without serious opposition until
it had cut off from the city about 350 Tartar troops who had held a
position on the extreme right of the enemy's line. These troops
quietly threw themselves into a joss house, and waited until both
the British columns, and the naval brigade on the attacking left had
unsuspectingly passed by them. They might then have escaped,
had they not been accidentally discovered by a small detached party
under Hall, of the Nemesis. The Tartars opened a spirited fire upon
the few seamen and soldiers." It was pluckily returned until the
arrival on the scene of a reinforcing company of the 18th Eegiment ;
and then an assault was made. But the British were repelled by
the defenders. Other reinforcements arrived, a field-piece was turned
upon the building, and part of the wall was blown in by means of a
501b. charge of powder; yet the Tartars fought on with as much
determination as ever, though a second breach was made, and their
stronghold w'as set on fire. "VNTien, at length, after more than three
hours' desperate struggle, the place was earned, only sixty of the
defenders remained alive, and of them many were wounded. The
occupation of Chapoo itself was effected with but small difliculty.
Hangchowfoo was still considered to be unapproachable ; and
the expeditionary force re-embarked on May '28th. The fleet
headed northward, it having been determined to deal a series of
blows against the important cities at the mouth, and along the banks,
of the Yangtsekiang. It was a wise decision : for never has China
been thoroughly intimidated by attacks, no matter how successful,
against her coast towns only. After various delays the fleet
anchored off Woosung on June 13th.
' From CornivaUis, Starling, Modestc, Bentinck, Blonde, Stsostris, Columbim;
and Algerine. A few officers and men of S'lintfia, Thhyethon, and Jupiter were also
landed.
- Chiefly of the 18th and 49th Eegiments, about thirty in alL
1842.] CAFTUIiE OF WOOSUNO. 299
Woosung lies not only near the mouth of the main Yangtse-
kiang, but also near that of another large river, the Woosung, twelve
miles further up which is the town of Shanghai. Shanghai, besides
being an important naval station, had a great trade with Nanking,
the capital ; and the Commanders-in-Chief felt that it was most
desirable to occupy it. It was, however, necessary first to force the
defences at the mouth of the Woosung river. The water in front
of these was sounded and buoyed on June 14th and 15th by Com-
manders Kichard Collinson, and Henry Kellett ; and, on June l(3th,
the works on both sides of the river were bombarded by the
warships, while the transports, with the troops on board, lay four
miles out in the stream. On the north or Woosung bank of the
river there was simply a line of armed ramparts, terminating, after
an upward course of about three miles, in the small fort of Powshan.
There were no flanking defences. On the south side there was an
old masonry fort, supplemented by a hue of incomplete earthen
batteries. Only the first discharge of the enemy's guns, delivered
as the ships were anchoring, produced much effect. A Marine
officer, and two men in the Blonde were; killed by it; and a leadsman
in the Phlegethon. lost both his legs, while several vessels were
hulled. After two hours' firing, towards the close of which the
Chinese guns were nearly silent, detachments of seamen and
Marines were landed, and all the works, except Powshan, were
cleared and occupied ere any of the troops were disembarked.
Powshan was soon afterwards evacuated ; so that the whole of the
success, such as it was, was won by the Navy alone.^ Few Chinese
were killed ; and the greater part of the 200 or '250 guns captured
were unmounted or useless. The British loss was ;5 killed and
•20 wounded.
"Among the cm-iosities," says Ouchterlouy, "found at Woosung, were two junks,
fitted each with four iiaddlewheels about five feet in diameter, worked by two
cranks fitted on axles jilaeed athwart in the fore and aft parts of the vessel. They
were clumsy enough, but nevertheless useful craft for transporting troops on smootli
water."
Tlic Chinese had, in fact, adopted, independently or otherwise, a
device \evy similar to the one which had been employed by Sir
Charles Napier (2), twelve years earlier, to move his frigate, the
Galatea, during calms.
' Ships engaged : Cotnwallis, I'lihyethon, Modeste, Xcmeais, Blonde, Sesostru,
Columbine, Juiiitei; Ah/trine, Medum, Xorth Slur, I'hilo, Clio, and Tenasscrim.
300 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
On the evening of the engagement the Dido, 20, anchored off
the town, with a convoy of transports having on board '2500
additional men from India. Part of the whole force was at once
directed against Shanghai, one column marching along the left
bank of the AVoosung river, and another going up in light craft,'
and in steamers towing them. Parker and Gough accompanied
the latter in the Medusa. A battery, half-way, opened on a
reconnoitring vessel, but was evacuated as soon as the main body
of the flotilla approached it. The only real difficulty encountered
on the way up to within half a mile of Shanghai was occasioned by
the grounding of the Sesostris, which lost her rudder. Just below
the town, at a right-angled bend of the river, was a low-lying
18-gun battery, which, if it had been properly manned, would have
occasioned serious loss to the vessels, and would have needed a
landing-party to capture it by taking it in flank. It was, however,
easily silenced by a few broadsides from the men-of-war, not a man
in which was hurt. On June 18th, when the 18th Begiment
reached the north gate of the town, only a few ruatchlocks were
discharged at it, ere the place was hastily abandoned. On the
■20th, Lieutenant Hall, in the Ne7nesis, pushed fully sixty miles further
up the river in search of a channel to the city of Soochowfoo.
Finding no signs of it, he returned at a moment w^hen, as sub-
sequently appeared, his smoke was visible from the walls, and when,
but little ahead of him, was a fleet of fugitive junks laden with
sycee silver from Shanghai treasury.
Shanghai was evacuated on June 'ISrd, and the troops and vessels
fell back to Woosrmg. The expedition into the Yangtsekiang
proper was then promptly organised. The European troops which
took part in it were the 18th, 26th, 49th, 55th, and 98th Regiments,
with some Boyal Artillery and Engineers, the whole being under
Sir Hugh Gough, Major-Generals Lord Saltoun, Schoedde, and
Bartlej^ Colonel Montgomerie, E.A., and Captain Pears, E.E.
Besides about forty transports, the following vessels of the Boyal
Navy and H.E.I. Co.'s marine participated : —
H.M.S. OornwalUs, Blonde, Calliope, North Star, Dido, Modeste, Endymion,
Clio, Columbine, Algerine, Belleish, Apollo, Sapphire, Jupiter, Rattlesnake,
Plover, Starling, and Vixen, paddle.
H.E.I. Co.'s Sesostris, Auckland, Queen, Tenasserim, Nemesis, Phlegethon, Pluto,
Proserpine, and Medusa — all paddle steamers.
North Star, Modeste, Clio, and Columbine.
1842.] THE YANOTSEEIANG EXPEDITION. 301
The entire fighting force inckided about 9000 troops and Marines,
and 3000 seamen.
After the Plover and Starling, convoyed by a steamer, had made
some soundings in the river, the general upward movement was
begun on July 6th. Progress was slow, owing to the strong
current and the difficulties of navigation, but no serious opposition
was offered ' until, on July 19th, the fleet anchored safely abreast
of Chingkiang, the gate, as it were, of the far-reaching Grand Canal,
and, as it has been called, " the very lungs" of China; — the portal,
moreover, of Nanking, and the chief port of the Yangtsekiang.
In the stream, opposite the town, lies Golden Island ; across the river,
at the mouth of the northward prolongation of the Grand Canal, is
Kwangchow. At first it appeai'ed that Chingkiang was not to be
defended, and, indeed, that there were no Chinese troops in its
neighbourhood ; but on the 20th, some fire-rafts, which proved
perfectly harmless, were dropped down upon the fleet ; and a
reconnaissance showed that two large entrenched camps occupied
a low range of hills to the soutliward. On the 21st, nevertheless,
the troops were landed, without interference, to right and left of
the city, which was supposed to have been evacuated. The first
brigade, under Lord Saltoun, advanced against the entrenched
camps in the rear of the city, and drove their defenders out of
them. In the meantime, Schoedde on the west, and Bartley on
the east, attacked the city itself. Both brigades encountered steady
and unexpected opposition almost as soon as they had landed.
Schoedde, who was partially covered ]>}• the 68-prs. of the Auckland,
carried the nearest bastion by escalade ; but had to fight his way
thence step by step onwards until he reached some gates, which he
opened, so admitting the rest of his column. The Tartar defenders
not only fought stubbornly in tlieir positions, but also cliarged
most gallantly. Schoedde, however, at length pushed his way
across to within distance of the east gate, which, after three hours'
struggle, still l)arred Bartley's progress. A little later, Bartley's
brigade forced its way in, and joined hands with Schoedde's.
With Bartley were Sir Hugh Gough, Sir William Parker, and
a small naval brigade under Captain Peter Richards, and Com-
mander Kundle liurgcs Watson; and, co-operating with him, in
the mouth nl llic (Irand Canal, were two boats of the Blonde,
' 'I'lif I'tulo, Xemesis, ami MadcUt- were lired at on various occasious; but tliu
enemy nuulo no stand.
302 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
under Lieutenant Edward Crouch, and Midshipmen "William Leigh
Lambert, Kobert Jenkins, and Henry Thomas Lyon. These boats
had on board fom* field-pieces and howitzers belonging to the artillery ;
and Crouch had been directed to land them at some favourable spot.
Close to the east gate, the boats were suddenly saluted with an
extremely hot fire from the loftj- city wall. Crouch and Lyon,
besides no fewer than 26 other people, were soon wounded ; and,
as the guns could not be sufiiciently elevated to clear the top of
the wall, the crews wisely abandoned their boats and sought
cover among the buildings on the further bank. At much risk
to themselves, they reassembled ; aud they were at length relieved
by some boats of the Cormcallis, under Lieutenant James Stoddart.
All this had, of course, taken place before the forcing of the east
gate. Stoddart, with his boats, and some of the Blonde's people, as
also a small party from the Modeste, under Master John T. Forster,
then assisted the brigade under Captain Richards ' and Commander
Watson ; and a portion of the little force independently escaladed
the wall just as the east gate was blown open by the head of
Bartley's column. The first man up the ladder, a Marine, was
killed, and Watson " was wounded. Among other naval officers
who distinguished themselves during the day were Captain Granville
George Loch, who fell ten years later in Burmah, and who acted
as volunteer aide-de-camp to Gough, and Lieutenants James Fitz-
james (wounded), and George Henrj' Hodgson.
Even after the gates had been taken, there was still a con-
siderable amount of fighting in the streets and among the houses.
When further resistance was hopeless, many of the Tartar defenders
of the city deliberately slew their wives and children, and then
committed suicide. Their general. Hailing, bm-nt himself, viith all
his papers, in his house.
The material and moral effects of this blow, dealt at a spot about
150 miles from the sea, against the best of the Tartar troops, upon
the most important waterways of China, and within a short distance
of one of the capitals of the empire, were immense ; and, within a
month of the fall of Chingkiang, it became apparent that the long-
continued campaign had at length produced its desired results upon
the minds of the Emperor and his advisers. In the meantime,
however, preparations were made for a further advance to Nanking,
' C.B. December 24tb, 184li.
= Capt. December 23rd : C.B. December ^Itb, 1842.
184:2.]
THE TliEATY OF NANKING.
303
the passage towards wliicli liad been reconnoitred by the Plover ;
and, on July -iyth, Saltoun"s and Bartley's brigades were re -embarked,
Schoedde's being left in cantonments just without the city.
Ere anything further could he done, some mandarins sought out
Sir Henry Pottinger with news that Eleepoo, an imperial High
Commissioner, was on his way from Soochowfoo to treat for peace.
Pottinger declined to stop operations before the arrival of the Com-
missioner with full powers to conclude an instant settlement ; and
on August 1st and '2nd, the CormvalUs and some other ships quitted
Chingkiang, anchoring on the •'ith off the northern angle of the
walls of Nanking. The rest of the fleet, and the transports, all
reached the same neighbourhood by the 8th. Ko opposition was
experienced on the way up ; and over the capital flew a white flag.
THE CHINA MEDAL, 1840-42.
Ribbon : crimxtm, with yellow eihjea.
Upon receiving trustworthy assurances that Eleepoo was close at
hand, Pottinger consented to stay active operations; but, on the
Dtli, finding that he was again being trifled with, Pottinger consulted
with Parker and Gougli for an imnuidiatc attack. The Cuniwallis
was moved into a position more advantageous for using her heavy
broadside ; the Blonde was towed up a creek, whence she could
breach the walls preparatory to an assault ; and the army was actually
landed, and encamped. .\II lliis induced the Chinese to give way.
On the 13th they again begged for delay ; on the 18th, negotiations
were so far advanced that Pottinger informed Parker and Gougli
that hostile movements might be suspended ; and on the 'JOth, the
Chinese plenipotentiaries were received in a friendly manner on
board the Cornicallis. Pottinger returned the visit on the •24th, in
company with the two Connnandcrs-in-Chicf ; another interview
304 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL HAVY, 1816-1856.
took place on the 26th within the city ; and on the 29th, the treaty
of Nanking was signed in the cabin of the ConiwalUs. It was
arranged that China was to pay an indemnity of $21,000,000 ; that
Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo and Shanghai were to be thrown
open to British merchants under just and regular tariff regulations ;
that consuls should be appointed to reside at each of those ports ;
that Hong Kong should be ceded in perpetuity to Great Britain ;
that all British prisoners in China should be unconditionally released ;
that Chinese who had held intercom-se with the British should be
aimiestied ; and that Kolangsoo and Chusan should be held until
the indemnity should be paid and the ports opened.
Thus, after almost exactly three years' hostilities, was peace
restored. The course of the war proved that, in deahng with
China, sternness and firmness must be consistently employed ; that
Chinese dilatox-iness can be cured only by persistent pressm-e ; and
that Chinese policy can be but little coerced save by blows dealt at
the very gates of the seats of government.
Among the honours granted in return for services rendered by
the Navy during the war may be mentioned the following : —
Vice-Admhal Sir William Parker, Bart., to l.e G.C.B., Dec. 2iul, 1842.
Captain Thomas Herbert, to be K.C.B., Oct. lith, 181-1.
Captain Thomas Bourchier, to be K.C.B., Dec. 24:th, 1842.
Captain the Hon. Richard Saunders Duudas, to be C.B., June 29th, 1841.
Captain James Scott, to be C.B., June 29tb, 1841.
Captain Charles Ramsay Drinkwater Bethune, to be C.B. June 29th, 1841.
Captain Joseph Nias, to be C.B., June 29th, 1841.
Captain Thomas Maitland, to be C.B., June 29th, 1841.
Captain Edward Belcher, to be C.B., Oct. 14th, 1841.
Captain William Warren, to be C.B., Oct. 14th, 1841.
Captain Harry Eyres, to be C.B., Oct. 14th, 1841.
Captain Charles Anstruther Barlow, to be C.B., Oct. 14th, 1841.
Captain Augustus Leopold Kujier, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain the Hon. Frederick William Grey, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain Peter Richards, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain Sir James Everard Home, Bart., to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain Henry Kellett, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain Eundle Surges Watson, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain William Henry Anderson Jlorshead, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Captain Richard CoUiuson, to be C.B., Jan. 21st, 1842.
Brev. Lieut.-Col. Samuel Burdon Ellis, R.M., to be C.B., Dec. 24th, 1842.
In 1839-42, apart from the Chinese War, which has just been
described, and from the Syrian operations, which will be described
presently, there were several small affairs in which the fleet had a
share.
1838-39.] MISCELLANEOUS Ul'EllATIONS. 305
At the time of the French operations in Mexico, and the capture
of San Juan de Ulloa and Vera; Cruz by Rear-Admiral Baudin, in
1838-39, British interests on the coast were looked after by the
following squadron, viz. : CornwalUn, 74, Vice-Admiral the Hon.
Sir Charles Paget, Captain Sir Eichard Grant ; Edinbitrqh, 74,
Captain Wilham Honyman Henderson ; Madagascar, 46, Captain
Provo Wilham Parry Wallis ; Pique, 36, Captain Edward Boxer ;
Andromache, 28, Captain Eobert Lambert Baynes ; Vestal, 26,
Captain Thomas Wren Carter ; Eocer, 18, Commander Thomas
Matthew Charles Symonds ; Modeste, 18, Commander Harry Eyres ;
Racehorse, 18, Commander Henry William Craufurd ; Snake, 16,
Commander Alexander Milne ; and Riiu/dove, 16, Commander (actg.)
the Hon. Keith Stewart (2). While lying off Sacrificios, on
January 19th, 1839, during a northerly gale, the Madagascar had
occasion to send a cutter, with her Gunner and seventeen men, to
pick up her pinnace, which had broken adi'ift. Both boats were,
unfortunately, swamped by a heavy sea, and eleven of the men were
drowned, the Gunner and the rest saving themselves only \\ith the
greatest difficulty.'
Among the minor actions of these years sliouid be mentioned the
capture, in 1889, by the Crocodile, 26, Captain Alexander Mihu;, on
the West Indies station, of the Spanish slaver Mercedita ; and the
cutting out, by the boats of the Dolphin, 8, Lieutenant Edward
Littlehaies, of the Brazilian slaver Firmc, off Whydah, on May
30th, 1841. This last afl'air was a particularly brilliant one. Mate
Augustus Charles Murray in the gig, with five men, and Second-
Master John Fletcher Rees in the cutter, with eight men, pulled
hard for two hours and a half, engaged the Firinc, a brigantine of
170. tons, ajid, after a twenty minutes' struggle, boarded and took
her, losing, however, 2 Idlled and 8 wounded. For his gallantry
Murray, who was twice wounded, was promoted.^ In the mean-
time, in charge of another prize slaver, the little schooner Bores,
only sixty feet in length, he made a most adventurous voyage from
near Accra to Sierra Leone, with a crew of two men and two boys.
He suffered great hardships of all l<iiHls, met with terrible weather,
lost one of his people, and did not succeed in making liis port until
after he had struggled with every sort of difficulty for no fewer than
' Naut. Ma;/., IS.'III, JIOII, ;a4.
' Oazette, 1841, p. 2G88. I'loiiiil. Meut., Hct. Isi, iMll. liecs was also pnniul. to
be Master, Dec. 21st, ISIl.
VOL. VI. X
306 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1S16-1856.
146 days. The voyage was then ordinarily done in ten days. The
Wolverine, 16, Commander William Tucker (3)/ was another vessel
that was most active in the repression of the slave trade. She not
only made several prizes, but also, in 1840, captured the island of
Corisco by assault, and destroyed the slave factories there estab-
lished. On this occasion the storming party, originally 40 in number,
led l)y Lieutenant Henry Dumaresq, lost 10 killed and wounded.
Mention should also be made of Lieutenant John Luke Eichard
Stoll, who, in the Bonetta. 3, in aboiit twenty-six months, ending
May, 1840, took nine slavers, three of which, of superior force, were
captured fifty miles up the Congo, and one of which, after a smart
resistance, was cut out of the river Pongos; and of Commander
John Adams, of the Acorn, 16, who, among other prizes, took, on
July 6th, 1841, the notorious piratical slaver Gabriel, and, during
his commission, caused the condemnation of about 3300 tons of
shipping. One of the best slaver captm-es of 1841 was that of the
Spanish schooner Segiindo Eosario, which, with 284 slaves on board,
was taken on January 27th, on the West Indies station, by the
Cleopatra, 26, Captain Alexander Milne.
In 1840, Sir E. Doherty, governor of Sierra Leone, learnt that
Prince Maima, son of King Siacca of the GaUinas, a group of islands
at the mouth of the Gallinas river, about 160 miles from Sierra
Leone, had detained two British subjects for a pretended debt.
He ordered Mauna to surrender them to Commander the Hon.
Joseph Denman, of the Wanderer, 12, senior naval officer on that
part of the coast, on pain of having every building in the GaUinas
levelled with the ground. Denman not only recovered the prisoners,
but also induced Siacca to agree to a treaty in virtue of which
the British forces destroyed all the factories of Spanish slave traders
within his dominions, and liberated the slaves in them. These
measures were strongly approved by the home government, and
Denman was posted on August 23rd, 1841, as soon, that is, as the
full reports of his proceedings had been received in London. The
Spanish slave dealers, however, were not equally satisfied ; and they
began suit for immense damages. The matter was not settled until
1848, when, after long litigation, a jury in the Court of Exchequer
rendered a verdict in Denman's favour.-
Early in 1842 a young naval officer had an exceptional opportunity
1 Posted, Oct, 2Gth, 1840.
- O'Byme, 278 ; Xavt. Mag., 1848, p. 103.
1842.] CAPTUHE OF THE CAETAOEKAN FLOTILLA. 307
for demonstrating his seli-reliance, bis determination, and his fitness
for a responsible post in difficult circumstances. Cartagena, always
one of the most turbulent states ' of what is now the Kepublic of
Colombia, was at that time little better than a piratical oligarchy.
On February Gth, 1842, the British brig Jane and Sarah, and a
sloop, the Little William, at anchor in the Cartagenan harbour of
Sapote, were seized and plundered by five Cartagenan vessels of war
under the orders of one General Carmona, and their crews and
passengers, including a Colonel Gregg, were thrown into prison.
The British consul at Cartagena endeavoured in vain to obtain the
release of these unfortunate people. He then communicated with
H.M. brig Chanjbdis, 6, Lieutenant Michael de Courcy (3), which
was stationed off the coast. De Courcy arrived off the port of Carta-
gena, where the Cartagenan war vessels then lay, and at once sent
on ])()aid the commodore's corvette a demand for the liberation of the
British subjects. The commodore was insulting and contemptuous,
and refused to receive de Courcy's letter. The Cartagenans, more-
over, had by that time shot Colonel Gregg. Upon the return of
his officer, de Courcy instantly entered the port. In spite of her
nominal rating, his brig had on board only one long gun and two
carronades, with a complement of 55 all told. The Cartagenan
fiotilla, on the other hand, included, besides the commodore's
corvette, a brig and three schooners. As the Charybdis passed up
to an anchorage, she w^as fired into by the corvette. De Com-cy
replied with the greatest steadiness and spirit ; and, in a short time,
the corvette struck, having lost her commodore and 25 men killed.
Scarcely had the prize been taken possession of when the brig and
schooners came down and furiously attacked the Chari/hdis ; but the
British gunnery quickly sank the brig, whereupon the schooners
surrendered. The whole action occupied less than an hour ; and, at
its conclusion, de Courcy, instead of withdrawing, anchored proudly
in the enemy's port, there to await the decision of his Connnander-
in-Chief concerning his captures.
It cannot, of course, be supposed that the seamen of one of tlu'
ruffianly Soutli American states of that day were worthy opponents
for British bluejackets, or that their vessels were well found ; yet the
victory was obtained against forces numerically much superior ; and
the loss suffered by the corvette indicates that the people fought
«tulil>niiily. Do Courcy's conduct was approved of, both by the
' 'I'lierc was a separatist revolt in ( 'artagena as recently as IHO'J-IHOO.
X 2
308 MILIIARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Commander-iu-Chief and by the Admiralty ; and the gallant Lien-
tenant was deservedly promoted.'
For many years previous to 1838 there had been a few British
.settlers at Port Natal - ; but, although the Cape government then
sent up a small military force as a garrison for the district, it with-
drew it again in 1839. Thereupon the Boers, who had determined to
put their ally, Panda, on the throne of Zululand, and so secm-e peace
in that quarter, turned their eyes i^pon what they presently called
the Eepublic of Natalia. Numbers of them migi-ated from the inner
parts of Cape Colony to the seaboard ; and, pretending to have
formed an independent state, they asked the British government
to recognise Natalia as such. The request was refused ; and, fresh
native disturbances having broken out, and having threatened to set
the borders of Cape Colony in a blaze, the Governor sent up a
detachment of the '27th Regiment to re-garrison Natal and to keep
order. The Boers resisted, and at length defeated the troops, and
blockaded them in their fort at Durban. It was then that Eichard
King, a colonist, made his famous ten days' lide to Grahamstown in
search of succour. The result of his appeal was that, reinforce-
ments having been collected from Capetown and Algoa Bay, H.M.S.
Southampton, 50, Captain Thomas Ogle, accompanied by the Conch,
schooner, WilHam Bell, master, appeared off Port Natal on the night
of June 24th, 1842, with part of the 2.5th and 27th Eegiments on
board. On the two following days the frigate forced the entrance
to the port, and landed the troops. The Boers fled, and, being
followed up, submitted to Colonel Cloete on July 5th at Pieter-
maritzburg. In May, 1843, Natal was formally annexed to the
British Crown.
The causes leading up to the employment of the Navy on the
coast of Syria in 1840 may now be glanced at.
On September 14th, 1829, the Ottoman Porte had unwilHngly
signed the treaty of Adrianople with Eussia ; and, early in the
following year, she had been obhged to recognise the independence
of Greece, and to see the suzerainty of Algier pass from her to
Prance. During many centuries the Sultan had expeiienced no
harder blows from fortune ; and dming many centuries he had never
been less able to resist the attacks and aggressions of foreign or
' Com., Feb. 12th, 184'J. Naut. May., 1842, p. .358. l)e Courcy was posted
Sept. eth, 1852, and obtained flag-rank on Oct. 10th, 1867. Vide F.O.'s list.
^ The inlet on which stands Durban.
1840.] OPERATIONS IN SYRIA. 309
nominally dependent states; for, in 18-2G, he had abolished his
ancient corps of Janissaries, and begun to reorganise his militarj-
system ; and, amid the troubles and distractions of the succeeding
years, he had not had opportunity to provide himself with a new-
army.
It was while he was still thus almost powerless that Mehemet
Ali, his greatest vassal, bethought himself of seizing the moment
for casting off allegiance and winning the independence of Egj-pt.
Mehemet Ali had a good army, trained by ex-officers of the French
Empire, plenty of arms and supplies, and a fleet which, though
manned chiefly by fellahs, who were no match for the best Em-opean
seamen, was well built, after French designs, and officered, to a
large extent, by Frenchmen. Sultan Mahmoud had no naval force
so effective.
In 1832, accordingly, Ibrahim Pasha, son of Mehemet Ali, in-
vaded S5'ria, and gained striking and repeated victories, until the
Sultan, fearful of losing Constantinople itself, called in the aid of
the Russians, who landed an army in Anatolia, and induced Ibrahim
to stay his advance. Great Britain and France thereupon put pres-
sure upon Mahmoud to patch up a settlement ^ with his rebellious
vassal ; and the Sultan, convinced for the moment that Russia was
his only friend, threw himself into the arms of the Tsar by signing
the treaty of Unkiar-Skelessi, and determined to await a more
favourable occasion for reducing Egypt to full obedience.
But Egypt was not content to wait. Fresh difficulties soon
arose between the Porte and Mehemet Ali. This time, while
Great Britain, as well as Russia, supported Turkey, France gave
encouragement to Egj-pt. Hostilities recommenced ; and, on June
29th, 1839, the Tiukish army was badly defeated at Nesib. On
July 1st Malinioud died, leaving the throne to Abdul Medjid, a
boy of sixteen. To increase the already serious troubles of Tm-key,
its main fleet, sent to sea to watch the movements of the Egyptians,
deserted in a ])ody, and joined the rebt;ls at Alexandria. It was felt
ill Londiin that, in ord(;r to prevent Abdul li'iiui Iiccomiug a nu'iv
dependent of Russia, some countenance must be shown him in his
misfortunes ; and, in consequence, negotiations on the subject wen-
opened with France, the result being that an Anglo-French fleet of
observation, under Adnural Sir Kobert Stopford and Rear-Admiral
Lalande, was presently anchored in Besika Bay. But France would
' Signed at Konioli, May Jtli, 1833.
310 MILITABY HISTORY OF THE IWYAL NAVY, lSl6-ly5G.
go no further ; and when, on July 15th, 1840, Great Britain, Aiistria,
Eussia, and Prussia, by treaty, signed at London, engaged with the
Sultan to bring his vassal to reason, France not only held aloof, but
also assumed a sulky and threatening attitude, making vast pre-
parations by land and sea, as if to oppose the Powers, and bringing
Europe within measurable distance of a general war. Happil.y
France was ultimately so wise as to reconsider her position, and,
ere the end of the following year, to rejoin the European concert.*
In the meanwhile the four Powers offered Mehemet Ali that if,
within a given time, he woiild evacuate Ai-abia, Syria, Crete, and
other possessions of the Porte which he had occupied, and woiild
make certain additional concessions, he should be made hereditary
viceroy of Eg}'pt, and might hold St. Jean d'Acre and some other
teri-itories during his hfe. If not, he would be deprived of all his
dominions ; and the four Powers would execute the sentence. He
was allowed ten days wherein to make up his mind upon some
of the proposals, and ten days more wherein to decide as to the
rest of them.
The ultimatum appears to have been delivered on August 9th, at
Alexandria, where the Cyclops, 6, paddle, Captain Horatio Thomas
Austin, was directed to await the return of a reply. In the harbour
lay the Egyptian fleet, and the Turkish squadron which had deserted.
Mehemet Ali declared on the Ibth that what he had won by the
sword he would maintain by the sword, and that he would not with-
draw his troops at the bidding of anyone ; yet, further grace having
been formally allowed him, it was not deemed fair to commence
active operations so long as any part of the term of grace remained
unexpired ; and the Cyclops stayed on at Alexandria to afford to the
last a locus penitenticc to the hot-headed viceroy. In the meantime,
however. Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, Commander-in-Chief in the
Mediterranean, -wTrote on August 8th, from the Princess Charlotte, 104,
off Mytilene, to Captain Charles Napier (2), C.B., of the Powerful, 84,
who was off the coast of Karamania, directing him to hoist a broad
(blue) pennant as Commodore of the third class, and, taking under
his orders, besides the Powerful, the Ganges, 84, Thunderer, 84,
Edinburgh, 72, Castor, 36, and Gorgon, 6, paddle, to proceed to
Beyrout.^ Napier received the dispatch on August 10th, and, two
days later, anchored before the town.
Beyrout was chosen because it was on the flank of the Egyptian
' By her adherence to the treaty of July l.'ith, 1841. ' Napier, ' Napier,' ii. 7.
1H40.] 'I' 1 1 1- SYIUAS Ol-KRATIOXa. iill
advance; because it was the best port in the neighbourhood of the
Lebanon, the semi-independent inhabitants of which, under their own
chief, the Emir Beschir, had recently rebelled against Mehemet Ali ;
and because it was hoped to support and utilise the mountaineers
against the invader. Bej-rout itself, however, was occupied bj' about
11,000 men of the Egyptian army, and by about 4000 Tm-kish soldiers,
who had been landed from the deserting fleet. In mihtary command
was Suleiman Pasha,' a very capable French renegade, who had
served under the first Napoleon. His camp lay outside, and to the
northward of, the town, the seaward defences of which, consisting
chiefiy of three forts, were too old to be of any serious value.
Stopford, with the major part of the Mediterranean fleet, remained
for the time in the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles, firstly as a
protection to Constantinople against a coiqi de main by Mehemet
Ali, secondly as a guard against possible French interference, and
thirdly as convoy for a Turkish squadron of men-of-war and trans-
ports, which was assembling to proceed to Cyprus and Syria under
Captain Baldwin Wake Walker, E.N., who had taken service as
an admiral with Turkey. It had been determined among the
Powers that the naval part of the task of carrying out the decision
of the signatories should be entrusted to Great Britain and Austria-
Hungary ; and, accordingly, a small but well-found Austrian division
presently joined Stopford, and put itself under his orders. {See
table, p. 312.)
The brief campaign which iollowcd was a remai-kal)le illustration
of the military importance of command of the sea. On shore was
a triumphant and, upon the whole, formidable army of 70,000 or
.SO.OOO men, pressing northwards. At Alexandria was a large but by
no means efficient Egyptian fleet, which, had the sea been open
to it, could have accompanied the left wing of tlio advancing army,
protected it, and supplied it. But the sea was not open to it. The
less numerous yet mucli more elficient fleist under Stopford not only
terrorised the Egyptians into remaining under the forts of Alexandria,
or captured such vessels as ventured out, but also struck blow after
i)low on the flank of Mehemet All's comnumications, landed and
supported troops there, and, in less than two months, so imperilled
the conquering army of Egypt that the reix'llious viceroy was glad
to make terms.
' Originally tlie general was Ablias Pasha ; but Suleiman succeeded hinrtre ncluul
lio.stilitics besan.
:512 MILITABY HISTOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1S16-1856.
Ships ok thi-: Royal Navy, etc., employed on the Coast of Syhia, 1840.
Ships.
Asia .
BeUerophon .
fienbow .
Ca7nbrii1f;e .
Cary-'^foTt . .
Castor. . .
Cyclops, patlil.
Daphne -
Dido . . .
Edinburgh .
Ganges
(7orgoji, padd.
Hastings .
Hazard .
Hecate, padd.
Hi/iha, padd.
Implacable .
Jfagicienne .
J/et/ca, padd. .
Phcenix, padd.
Fig we . . .
Powerful ,
Commanders.
Capt. AVm. Fisher.
Capt. Chas. Jno. Austen (1). i
Capt. Houston Stewart. !
Capt. Edw. Baraard. '
Capt. Hy. Byam .Alartin.
Capt. Edw. Collier.
Capt. Hoiatiu Tbop. Austin.
Capt. Jno, AVindham ]).ilhng.
Capt. Lewis* Davies, C. B.
(Capt. ^\■m. Wilmott Ilen-
t derson.
iCajit. BaiTiugtuTi Kevnolds,
i C. B.
I Capt. Wm. Hoiiyman Hen-
I derBou.
rapt. Jno. Lawrence.
(Cum. Hon. Cbas- Gilbert Jno.
\ Brydune Elliot. I
Cum. Ji'S. Hamilton AVard. !
("Com. Eobt. Spt-nt-er Eobiu-|
I son. I
Capt. Edward Harvev. 1
Capt. Fredk. Tbos. Micbell.
Com. Fredk. "Warden.
(Com. Robt. Fauphawe Stop-
■( ford. 1
Capt. Edw. Boxer.
(Commod. Cbas- Xapler {'!).
\ c. r>. i
Ships.
Commaudei-s.
Princess ( hii
lotte. . .
Revenge . . .
"6
Jiodney . . .
92
Stromboli. paiUI. .
4
Talbot. . . .
26
Thundei-er . .
84
Vesuvius, padd. .
Vavguard
Was^p ....
Zebra . . . .
4
80
16
16
Austrian:
Jtitdni
Guerriera .
Lipsia .
Clemema .
Veneto .
Mario Anna,)
str. . . .]
Arethusa^ schr.
lAdm. Hon. Sir Robt. Stop-
ford. G.C.B.. G.C.M.G.
tCapt. Arthur Fanshawe.
(Capt. Hon. Vim. Walde-
I grave (2).
Capt. Sir 'Jhos.Mausell(l),Kt.
I Com. ^Voodford Juo. Wil-
l Hams.
Capt. Hy. Jno. Codrington.
fCapt. JIaur. Fredk. Fitzhar-
il dinge Berkeley.
j Com. Tbos. Henderson.
Capt. Sir David Dunn, Kt.
Com. Geo. Mansel.
! Com. Jas. Jno. Stopford.
IR.-Adm. Franz Baron Ban-
48 < diera.
ICom. Jobann von Bnratovich.
(Capt. H.l.H. Archduke Fried-
*^ \ rich.
20 ' Lieut. Peter Sladalena.
21 Lieut. Peter Logotetti.
17 I Lieut. Augustin Milonopulo.
,, /Sec. Lieut. Ludwig von Ko-
^^ I driafsky.
Sec. Lieut. Peter Manessi.
Sec. Lieut. Anton Basilisco.
And the Turkish slii
ips, an 84, bearing the flag of R.-Ad. Baldwin ^Vake Walker (Capt. K.N.); and a cutter, 8,
captured frum the Egyptians, etc.
* Here, Captain = Liuienschiffs-Capitiin ; Commander = Fregatten-Capitiin ; Lieutenant = Corvettcu-
<.'apitlln : S'econd Lieuteuant =: LiuienscbifTa-Lieiiteuant For the names of these officers 1 am indebted to Capt.
Leopold Freiberr v. Jtdiua, Imjt. yud Koy. Aust, Hung. Navy.
Napier, as has been said, anchored off Beyrout on Aiigiast 12th.
He placed his ships in such positions as best to cover the seaward
forts and the Egyptian camp. He also opened communications with
the governor of the place, with the commander of the revolted
Turkish troops, who were supposed to be anxious to return to their
allegiance, with the British consul in the town, and with the Emir
Beschir, chief of the Lebanon. But, as the twenty days' grace had
not expired, he did not feel at liberty to take decided action, although,
more than once, he unwisely made threats that he would do so, and
thus, perhaps, b}^ non-perfoimance of them, encouraged resistance.
He did, however, detain several vessels that were proceeding up the
coast with supplies, and, among others, a fine Egyptian frigate,
armed eu jfiife, and boimd for Scanderoon. She was taken by the
Castor. A general blockade of Syria and Egypt was also declared.
Napier utilised the days of delay by making reconnaissances in the
Gorrjon at various points where it seemed possible to land troops,
and by visiting Walker Bay, who was then at Cyprus. He was
joined, off Beyrout, by the Magicienne, 24, paddle, on August 19th,
the Was}!, 16, on August 30th, the Bevcnge, 76, on August 31st, and
1840.] THE SYRIAN OPERATIONS. 313
later by the Bcnboir, 7"2/ Pique, 36, etc., ere, on Septeiuber 7th, the
Cyeloj)s arrived with definite news of the rejection of the ultimatum,
and heralded the approach of the main body of the allied fleets, -
which appeared on September 9tb. On September 1st, too, there
reached Beyrout a small British force of artillery and engineers
under Colonel Sir Charles Felix Smith, E.E., who was ill at the
time, and who was unable, for several weeks afterwards, to assume,
as had been intended, the command of the shore operations.
Napier had always a great repugnance to serving under anyone's
orders;^ and he knew, of course, that on the arrival of Stopford,
that distinguished officer would be supreme afloat. Eecollecting
with pleasure his own military experiences in the Peninsula, and,
later, in Portugal, where he did the work of general as well as of
admiral, and taking advantage of Smith's illness, he came to the
extraordinary decision that, rather than be a junior afloat, he would,
if possible, be in supreme command ashore ; and, with that end in
view, he induced Stopford to allow him provisionally to take Smith's
place, "as no enemy was likely to be met with "* where he was
going. Stopford, perhaps, was not sorry to get rid of his brave, but
excitable and excentric subordinate.^ Napier, on the other hand, had
' With .arms for the Lebanon people, etc.
■^ The Implacable, 74, and Ada, 84, being, howevei', left before Alexandria.
^ Kapier, ' Napier,' ii. 26, 32.
* Stopford to Napier, Sejjt. 8th. ('1 his date is in Na]jier. It seems to be an error
for 9th, but I have lailed to see the ori;.;inal.)
° A curious pictiu'e of Napier at the time is furnislied by an extract from tlie journal,
dated Dec. lltli, 1840, of Lieutenant Hubert Hilley Elliot, then of the Powerful: "He
is," Bays Elliot, " by no means a great weight, perhaps fourteen stone, about my own
weight, but stouter .and broader built ; stoojis from a wound in his neck ; walks lame
from another in his leg ; turns out one of his feet ; and has a most slouching, slovenly
gait, a large round face with black bushy eyebrows, a double chiu, scraggy grey
uncurled whiskers, and thin hair; wears a superfluity of shirt collar, and small neck-
liandkerchief, always bedaubed with snuft", which he takes in immense quantities;
usually has his tnjusers far too short, and wears the ugliest pair of old shoes he can
find; and altogether takes so little pride in his dre.ss that, I believe, )'0u migiit
substitute a green or black coat for his uniform one, witliout his being a bit the wiser.
Still, he makes all of us conform to strict imiform. This a correct jwrtrait of him :
but mind, you are not to laugh at him, for I do think ho is one of the greatest
characters of the day ; and many is the person who lias come on board just to have a
sight of such a rum old fellow. He is by no means a pleasant officer to serve under ;
but one must forgive much for the honour of being commanded by such a character.
His high, honourable jirinciples and gentlemanly feelings arc beyond dispute ; yet ho
is snappisli and irritable at times ; but shines particularly at the head of liis own table,
which is always well found, and no want of wine." His granddaughter, Mrs. SalVord,
tells me, moreover, that she recollects Sir Charles, when upwards of seventy, insisting
upon wearing a very "loud" print shirt, the iialtorn upon which consisted of small
figures of ballet girls, in black. — W. L. ('.
314 MILITARY IIISTORV OF THE ROYAL NAVY. I8IG-I806.
uo idea of going where there was no enemy, and had very vivid
dreams of again distinguishing himself as a soldier. So well did he
play his cards that he was permitted to land immediately after the
arrival of the Commander-in-Chief. He remained on shore for a
month, and, as will he seen, rendered good service.
B}' the morning of September 9th, thirty-three British, Austrian,
and Tm-kish warships, besides French and American neutrals, and
numerous transports, were visible from Beyrout ; and in the after-
noon all of them lay at anchor before the town. That evening the
Turkish troops and Bi-itish Marines ' were put on board steamers,
and, on the following morning, were moved in an ostentatious
manner to the southward, the Egyptians marching along the coast
to prevent them from disembarking, and being occasionally shelled
by the ships. But as soon as the sea-breeze fairly set in, the landing
force was rapidlj' carried to D'jounie Bay, about nine miles to the
northward, and there put ashore without opposition, the Potcerful,
Revenge, Thunderer, Pique, Cantor, Carijsforf, Daphne, Wasp, and
three Turkish vessels being at hand to protect it in case of need.
Napier's^ composite army, consisting ultimately of British, Austrians,
Turks, and local natives, entrenched itself. It lay in a good
position, as the only road between it and Beyrout passed round
a projecting point two miles south of the camp, and was completely
exposed to the guns of the Bevenge, which anchored off it. Diu'ing
these and the following days, Beyrout was frequently bombarded
by the fleet, and its walls and defences were demolished ; but no
serious effort was made to take the town, as the army was not then
ready to occupy it.
The first serious fighting of the campaign occurred on September
11th at D'jebel (otherwise Gebail), a small fort or castle to the north-
ward, whither the Carysfort, Dido, and Ctjelops were detached, mider
C'aptain Henry Byam Martin, with a landing-party of •220 Marines
and 150 armed mountaineers. The position, which was held by
800 Albanians in Egyptian pay, was bombarded by the ships for
about an hour ; and then 100 of the Marines, under Captain Charles
Kobinson, E.M., and as many natives, were put ashore to storm it.
Unfortunately the gallant Marines, when within thirty yards of the
fort, came unexpectedly upon a crenelled outwork, which had a deep
ditch in front of it, and which was completely screened from the
1 Under Lt.-Col. William Walker, Pi.M.
- Lieut. Stephen Bradley, of the Powerful, went with Xapier as aide-de-camp.
IS40.] AFFAUIS AT /)://■: JlEL ANP JO/iTOSA. 315
ships ; and they were received with so deadly a musketry (u-e that
five of the party were killed, and eighteen wounded, liobinson, after
vainly trying to find another way into the fort, had no option but
to withdraw. As the party, which was accompanied by Captain
Horatio Thomas Austin, was retiring, it was perceived that a British
Hag had been left bohiiHl, flying from a garden wall where it had
been placed as a signal. Lieutenant Sidney Grenfell, and a seaman
named Macdonald, of the Cijclojis, volunteered to return and rescue
it ; and, amid cheers from the ships, safely accomplished their
purpose. In spite of their temporary success, the Albanians
abandoned the place during the following night ; and it was
immediately occupied,^ whereupon large numbers of natives fiocked
to it to obtain arms. On September 15th, the Hastings, Carijsfurt,
and Cijclops captured Batroun without much trouble. On the 17th,
under direction of Captain Edward Collier, Caiffa, and, on the 24th,
Tyre (otherwise Tsour), were similarly taken, no loss being suffered
by the Castor and Pique, the onlj- two British ships employed. But
an attack upon Tortosa, on September 26th, by the Boihoir, Carijs-
fort, Zebra, and landing-parties, was disastrous and unsuccessful,
though it brought credit to many engaged, and especially to
Lieutenants Edward Philips Charlewood," and Lewis Maitland,'
and Midshipmen John Charles Dalrymple Hay, and William
Houston Stewart, who showed great gallantry. The attacking
boats i-an upon a reef under fire, and could not be got off until
eight of their people had been kilkid and eighteen wounded.''
Ere this, Stopford had more than once shown an inclination to
recall Napier to the legitimate work of a naval officer, and to leave
the conduct of the army in the capable bands of Selim Pasha, Omar
Bey,'* General Jochmus, and Lieut. -Colonel William Walker, K.M.
But Napier always over-persuaded his good-natured chief, and, after
winning a little action on the Nahr-el-Kelb on September 24th, and
taking 400 prisoners, dined on the following day with Sir Robert)
;ind induced him to entrust his subordinate with the direction of
an attack on Sidon by land and sea, the Commodore pi'oniising td
the business, and to refuiii witliiii furty-cigbt hours. For this
no
' Napier, ' Napier,' ii. 37, 38, 42.
= Com. Nov. 5tli, 18-10.
' Com. Feb. l.Otli, 1811.
* Elliot's journal in ' Napier.'
■' Later, as I'aslia, commaiulinj; the 'I'Mrliisli army nri tlie l>aimlif, etc., in tlie war
i)f 1854-5.
316 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
expedition the Thunderer, Gorgon, Cy clops. Wasp, Stromboli,
Hydra, Guerriera (Austrian), and Gulfideh (Turkish) were told
off, with a landing force of 750 British Marines under Captains
Arthur Morrison, K.M., and James Whylock, E.M., 100 Austrians,
and 500 Turks.
Sidon was protected by a moderately strong fort and citadel, and
a line of wall, held by 2700 men. It was the main depot for the
southern division of the Egyptian army, and was full of stores and
ammunition. Having been in vain summoned, it was bombarded
by the ships for about half an hour. Captain Horatio Thomas
Austin then landed with the Turks, but was so hotly received that
it was clear that the spirit of the garrison had not been shaken.
The bombardment was therefore renewed for a time ; and, when
the wall had been breached, Napier himself, at the head of part
of the Marines, tried to storm it. He failed ; but succeeded in
breaking in at another point, whence, skirting the eastern wall as
far as the upper gate, which he burst open, he seized the citadel.
At about the same time Captain W. H. Henderson, of the Gorgon,
had made a successful assault elsewhere. Upon the whole, the
slaughter was not heavy, nor were the losses on the attacking side
very serious.^ The whole garrison was captured ; and half of it was
embarked, and so speedily despatched, that it reached Stopford off
Beyrout the same evening. Napier rejoined the Admiral off D'jounie
well within the stipulated forty-eight hours. There were numerous
acts of individual gallantry. Midshipman James Hunt,^ of the
StromhoU, and Midshipman Domenico Chinca,* of the Guerriera,
being especially mentioned for the rivalry which each displayed
to be the first to plant the colours of his nation on the walls.
The bravery of Mate Arthur Cumming {Cyclops), was also noticed
in dispatches, where, too, the services of Captains Henderson
and Austin, Commanders E. S. Eobinson, W. J. Williams, and
G. Mansel,^ and Captains (E.M.) INIorrison and Whylock met
with various meeds of praise.
During all this time there was frequent firing at Beyrout, though,
for the reasons already given, no attempt was made to occupy the
place. On October 2nd, however, an Egyptian deserter who reached
the Hastings, reported that the commander ashore had laid a train
' The only British officer killed was Lieut. Charles Francis Hockin.
^ Lieut. Aug. 12th, 1841. ' Chinoa was successful.
* Posted as from Sept. 28th, 1840.
1840.] ATTACK OX BEYROUT. 317
across a bridge to the eastern fort, where lay a great quantity of
powder, and was ready to IjIow it up at any moment. The man
offered to guide a party to cut the train and seize the ammunition ;
and Commander Henry Worth, upon vokmteering for the hazardous
service, found no lack of men to join him. He pulled in in a boat of
the Hastings, covered by the larmch and pinnace of the Edinburgh,
and, landing on the bridge iA face of a heavj' musketry fire, cut
the train, re-embarked again, again landed, forced a way into the
fort, thence threw sixty or seventy barrels of powder into the sea,
and brought away twentj' others. Later in the day, he made a
second attempt and brought away some more. It was a most
brilliant exploit, which, in after times, would have won a Victoria
Cross. Nor, all things considered, was the loss severe. Midship-
man — ■ — Luscombe, of the Hastings, was killed, and three seamen
and the Egyptian guide were wounded.'
A little later it was determined by the Admiral and Commodore
to captm-e Beyrout by a concerted movement. On October 8th>
[>art of Napier's troops, under General Jochmus, occupied Kornet
Sherouan (otherwise Ornagacuan '" ) , with a view to the commence-
ment of a movement for intercepting the retreat of Suleiman Pasha.
Napier himself went to Kornet Sherouan, on the following day,
after having written overnight to quiet Sir Eobert Stopford's
apprehensions concerning his subordinate's rashness. The Princess
CJiarhAle returned from D'jouuie to Beyrout ; two other vessels took
up their station ready to land troops in St. George's Bay ; and the
Belleroplwii lay near the mouth of the Dog Kiver with orders to
prepare to cover the retreat of the army. The enemy attacked,
with some temporary success, but was driven back. On October 10th,
deterred by the movements tbroatcuiing tlieir rear, the Egyptians
evacuated Beyrout ; and Napier received from Stopford notes
apprising him that Sir Charles Felix Smith had at length arrived to
take command of the army, and ordering the Commodore to retire.
Instead of retiring, Napier advanced, attacking the enemy in front
witii a force led by Master Edward John PhilHps Pearn,* and
endeavouring to turn his right with a smaller force under Lieutenant
Robert Duncan ' (Poirrrfiil). Napier found not Suleiman but Ibraliiin
Pasha himself in his front; l)Olh movc^ments were checked; and,
' Elliot's jouniiil ill ' Napier.' - So wrongly cilled in Napier's disps.
" Who had been with Najiier in I'ortiigal. ijev \>. 266, aniea.
* Com. Nov. Ith, 18'I0.
318 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
when reinforcements were sent for, Izzet Pasha, who had been left
at Kornet Sherouan, decHned to send them. At that difficult
moment the situation was undoubtedly saved by the mad and
infectious bravery of the Commodore, who led his staff- on what
was practically a forlorn hope, carried the first position in his front,
and then, literally driving his troops onwards, rushed the next
position, turned Ibrahim out pell-m'ell, took 700 prisoners, and so
won the battle of Boharsef. His victory probably saved him from
being brought before a court-martial for direct and deliberate dis-
obedience to orders. In spite of his victory, there should have been
a com-t of inquiry, if nothing further. But Stopford, one of the
most kind-hearted and forgiving of men, wrote a letter of generous
praise to his subordinate, and declined to assert himself in any way.
Napier then returned to his duties afloat. Next day part of the
Egyptian army surrendered, Siileiman, however, getting away with
300 horse.
Napier had already reconnoitred St. Jean d'Acre, and had been
fired at. He reconnoitred again in the early days of October, going
thither in a steamer, and sounding in front of the works, which
were very strong towards the sea, and mounted 130 guns, and
about 30 mortars. The fortress had been in the occupation of the
Egyptians since 1837, and it had since been continvially strengthened;
but it was still far from what Ibrahim Pasha's engineers had intended
to make it. Sir Robert Stopford, if we may believe the accounts of
Napier and EUiot, showed some unwillingness to attack it without
orders ; but at length there came definite instructions from the
Admiralty ; and, in accordance with them, on October 31st, the
fleet, which still lay off Beyrout, was directed to take on board a
large force of troops, and to prepare for sea. On the same evening
it sailed, the ships, British, Austrian and Tm-kish, including eight
of the fine, five frigates, five steamers, and two brigs. ^
The steamers — which, it should be noted, first convincingly
demonstrated their great utility in this war — preceded the squadron,
and summoned Acre to surrender. The rest of the expedition,
detained by light winds, did nof anchor off the place until the
evening of November ii\A. " The town," says Elliot, " is low,
standing on an angle presenting two faces to the sea, both walled
' Frincess Charlotte, Roiverfid, Tliunderei; BcUercyphon, Revenge, Benbow, Edin-
burgh, Pique, Castor, Caryffort, Talbot, Hazard, Fhjtnix, Wasp, and three Austrian
and three Turkish vessels.
1840.] IIOMBAJIDMEKT OF ST. JEAN D'ACIIE. 319
and covcrc'tl with cannon — in one place a double tier." After
further soundings had been made under cover of the darkness, it
was decided that it would be difficult to take the ships close enough
in to breach the walls within a reasonable time. It w'as therefore
determined to open a general bombardment of the town.
On the morning of the 3rd, the breeze was so hght that nothing
could be done until about ten o'clock, when, a w'ind springing up,
the ships weighed, and stood for their assigned stations. Stopford
kept his flag flying in the Prince.sS Charlotte, but went on lioard
the Phoenix, so as to be able better to superintend operations, and
to move to any point where his presence might be desirable. The
Powerful led in, and was followed in order by the Princess Charlotte,
Tliuuderer, BeUeroplinii, and Berenge. Behind this first division
came the second, led by the Turkish admiral (Captain Baldwin
Wake Walker, E.N.), and consisting of that gallant officer's own
ship, followed by the Benhoiv, Ediiihurgh, Pique, Castor, Hazard,
Carijsfort, Talbot, Wasp, and the three Austrian and two remaining
Turkish vessels. The first division made its slow way to the
western, and the second to the southern face of the fortress. The
positions taken up by the various ships will be seen on reference
to the plan overleaf. They did not, for the most part, reach them
until two o'clock.
The advance was greeted with a few dropping shots from the
batteries ; but no reply was made until the ships were near their
assigned stations, and about to anchor by the stern with another
anchor ahead. The fire then became general, and, within a few
minutes, waxed furious. The smoke began to hang even before the
ships actually anchored ; and thus the defenders, who had wrongly
supposed that their enemy would not venture inside the shoal, were
deceived as to the exact stations of the ships, and gave their guns
too great an elevation. This fact materially lessened the damage
and loss suffered by the fleet, and caused most of the shot that
found billets to take (effect aloft. Indeed, so confident were the
Egyptians that Stopford would lie outside the slmal that, says
Elliot, they had " built up the Idwtsr part of the embrasures with
stones and sandbags for protection ; so that they could not depress "
their guns " again, and were so enveloped in their own smoke,
as well as ours blowing inglit in their faces, tliat they scarcely ever
got a sight of us, and never knew where th(\v (ircd." '
' NiijjitT, ' XaiiiiM',' ii. (15, IKi.
320 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, lSlG-1856.
BOMBAKDMEST OP ST. JEAN d'aCRE, KOVEMBEll 3rD, 1840.
(Frum the diart hii Mr. J. C. Brdlrll, suniethne Emjinnr-in-Chief tu Meheniet Alt)
REFERENCES TO THE FLAX.
Ships.
1. Princess Cliarhitti.
S). Pique.
Hi. Stromholi.
2. Powerful.
10. Carynfort.
17. Vesuvius.
3. Thundfrn:
11. Talbot.
18. Medea (Aust.).
4. BelUroplion.
12. Hazard.
in. Guerriern (.\ust.)
5. Jievenge.
13. Was/,.
20. Lipsia (.\ust.l.
G. Benhoir.
14. Gorgon.
21. Turkish 84 (tiag).
7. Edinburgh .
15. Phcenix.
22. Turkish cutter.
8. Castor.
a
Harem.
h.
Bazaar.
q. Unfinished work.
1)
Cxstle.
Hi.
Stores.
/■)■. Observation towers
i-
.\b(laUah Pasha's hai-eni.
k
Mosque.
ss. Mortar batteries.
,!
Governor's divan.
1
Fortilied khan.
tt. Traverses.
t'.
Hospital.
HI
45 brass lield-pieees.
M'lc. Outer ditch.
t:
Aecountant-general'-s di-
/i
47 brass iield-pieces.
X.V. Glacis.
van.
0
Half-moou battery.
J/!/. Soundings.
11
Mosque.
II-
High battery.
1840.] OAPTUIiE OF ST. JEAN D'AGRE. 321
The Allies had midshipmen at their mast-heads to direct and
coiTect the aim, and, whenever the smoke grew too thick, desisted
for a short time. Yet the hombardment went on with very Uttle
relaxation for nearly three hours. A most frightful explosion then
flimg half the town into the air, and shook every ship to her keel,
the concussion knocking down the seamen at their guns half a mile
away. The grand magazine had blown up, killing, it is beheved,
upwards of 1200 people, and absolutely wrecking a space of about
60,000 square yards. This awful catastrophe soi^nded the fate
of the town, the firing from which thereafter weakened, though
a few guns were gallantly worked until the last. Towards sunset
Stopford signalled to discontinue the action. Napier, however,
who already, in consequence of a shift of wind, had taken up a
position different from the one assigned to the Powerful in the
original plan of attack, was, as usual, a law unto himself, and
persisted with an intermittent fire until the Flag-Lieutenant brought
him orders to withdraw. He then had to get a steamer to tow him
out of gunshot. His action on this occasion brought on unpleasant
friction with the Commander-in-Chief, and led the Commodore to
demand a court-martial, which was very properly refused.
The Egyptian loss was heavy, even leaving out that caused by
the explosion. About three hundred people were killed in the
l)atteries, and nearly all the guns on the sea face were disabled.
The fleet suffered very little except aloft, and had but 14 British,'
and 4 Turks killed, and 4-J " wounded. The result would have been
very different, and probably very disastrous, if the Egyptians had
not blocked up their embrasures, and made false assumptions as
to the probable positions of the ships, and if the explosion of the
main magazine had not deprived them of most of their powder.
On the day after the action, a smaller accidental explosion Icilled
a number of Turks and a Marine, and wounded Captain Edward
Collier, of the; Cantor, and the Chaplain of the Princess CharJottc.
Soon after midnight Captain Walker observed that the enemy
was evacuating the town, and sent word to that effect to Stopford
and Napier. Early on the 4th, therefore, the troops, and some
Austrian mai-ines were landed, and, uniting with 5000 men who had
UKirclied down from Beyrout, took quiet possession of the place,
and detached a strong force in pursuit of the Egyptians, who fled to
' lucluding Lieuleiiaiit G. B. J>e Mesmier {Talhvl).
' Including Com. I'Vaucis Decinius ilastiiigs (^Edinhurgli), posted Nov. 4, 1840.
VOL, VI. Y
322 MILITAllY llISTOliY OF THE ROYAL NAVY. 181i;-1856.
the southward. The Pique, joined presently bj* the Sfruinboli, was
left off the fortress, which was garrisoned by Sir Charles Smith
with 3000 Turks, and 250 Marines under Lieut. -Colonel Walker;
and it was determined to detach Napier to take command off
Alexandria. After watering at Beyrout, he quitted that port for
the piu'pose on November 15th, and, on the 'Jlst, joined the Bodney,
Revenge, Vanguard, Cambridge, Cari/fifort, and Medea on his station.
There, with characteristic independence, and without any official
authority, he entered into negotiations with Mehemet Ali, first
using as his emissary Captain Sir Thomas Mansell, of the Bodney,
an old friend of the Pasha's, and then himself entering Alexandria
in the Medea, and meeting Mehemet. The result was that on
November 27th a convention was signed, in virtue of which it
was engaged that Ibrahim Pasha should evacuate Syria, and that,
contingent upon the guarantee to ]\Iehemet of the hereditary govern-
ment of Egypt, the Ottoman fleet should be restored. Napier,
even before the convention was actually signed, wrote to the
Admiralty a letter beginning: "I do not know whether I have
done right or not in settling the Eastern question,"^ and, to his
wife, " You have seen me a Lord High Admiral, a Commodore,
and a General. I have now turned a Negotiator, and have made
peace with Mahomet Ali. ... I shall either be hung by the
Government, or made a Bishop."' " On November 28th, a gale
drove the squadron from off Alexandria, and ultimately caused
several ships, including the Powerful, to seek shelter, in a more
or less disabled condition, in Marmorice Bay, where, on December
yth, Stopford, in the Princess Charlotte, also dropped anchor. This
gale, on December 2nd, caused the wreck, off Mount Carmel, of the
Zebra, 16, Commander Robert Fanshawe Stopford, and the loss of
several of her people.
The Porte, the British Ambassador at Constantinople, Sir
Robert Stopford, and Sir Charles Smith, all disapproved strongly
of Napier's action, and denied his right to take such a course ;
but the four Powers had akeady, on November 14th, made up
their minds that, if he should prove tractable, Mehemet Ali should
be dealt with much as Napier had dealt with him ; and ultimately
the Convention, with slight modifications, was ratified, Napier,
who had just previously been made a Commodore of the first (red)
class, getting a K.C.B. dated December 4th, 1840, and, later, being
' To IMintu : Kov. liGtli. ^ To Mi-s. Napier, Nov. 26th.
'/'^i/f-yti-ir,.-'^
j/A,W//. -y^. jC ^J.^. y/yyr>V,
^^h3..y.fii.
<
1840.] DISASTER AT TONGATABU. 323
thanked by Lord Palmerston for his management of affairs at
Alexandria, whither ho was sent to see to the carrying,' nut of the
Convention, with his broad pennant in the Caniafitrt .
Among the numerous honours and promotions conferred upon
naval ofiticers in respect of their ser'nces during the Syrian campaign
of 1840 may be mentioned : —
To be K.C.B., Captain Charles Napier (2), C.B.
To be C.B., Captiiius Sii- Baldwin Wake Walker (Hun.) ; Charles Juliu .\u.--leii (1; ;
Hon. William Waldegrave (2) ; Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley ; Edward
Collier ; William Wilmott Henderson ; Arthur Fanshawe ; Houston Stewart ; Eilward
I'oxer ; Henry Byam Martin; Henry John Codrington ; William Tlonymaii
Henderson; Horatio Thomas Austin ; and Lieut.-Col. William Walker, 1!.M.
In addition, ten Commanders were posted, and three noted for
promotion upon becoming qualified ; and great numbers of Lieu-
tenants and Mates were advanced a step in rank.
In the course of 1840, in more distant seas, a bloody and
disastrous affair had, meantime, occurred at Tongatabu, one of the
Friendly Islands. A war was raging between the native Clu-istians
and the rest of the islanders, and, to assist the former. Commander
Walter Croker, of the Favourite, 18, landed on June 24tli with 90
officers, seamen and Marines, and joined a body of 1500 nativ(!s in
the attack on a fastness five miles from the coast. In the act of
storming, the natives deserted ; and the Bi-itish, having suffered very
heavily, were obliged to retire. Croker was killed ; and the first
Lieutenant, Robert John Wallace Dunlop, was desperately wounded.
The second Lieutenant, Edward rdhani Brenton von Donoj), who
succeeded to the command, not only carried off Croker's body under
a terrible fire, l)ut also, finding that the colours liad lieen left behind
during the retreat, returned with one man, and rescued them.' A I
a later date his gallantly would have won him the Victoria Cross.
The good work which was done for the suppression of piracj' on
the coasts of Borneo, and in the Eastern Archipelago, in 1843 and
the following years, was undertaken chiefly at the suggestidii df tli;il
distinguished pioneer and administrator, James Brooke. Brooke
had been in the East India Company's sci-vice, liad fought in the
Burmese War, had been wounded, and had returned to England.
He had subsequently again visited the Eastern Archipelago, and,
having satisfied himself that much might be done there towards
developing the enormous resoiUT(;s of the islands, had once more
' O'Byrnc, yiG, 12:!1.
Y 2
324 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
gone home, had purchased a 14'2-ton yacht, the Boyalist, and,
proceeding to Sarawak, in Borneo, had induced the Eajah Muda
Hassim to entrust him with the government of the province, which
he afterwards acquired as his own. In January, 1843, Captain the
Hon. Henry Keppel, of the Dido, 18, became senior naval officer in
the Straits Settlements. On March 17th, being then at Singapore,
ADMIR.\L OF THE FLEET THE HOX. SIB HENRY KEPPEL, G.C.B., D.C.I,.
(Fyoin an engraving bij D. J. Pound, after a photograph hy Ma [/all, tuken about 18G:^. when
Sir Henrij va^ a Eear-.itlmiraJ.')
Keppel met Brooke at dinner, and, as he says, " was initiated into
the mysteries, depths and hoiTors of pirates in the ways of the
Malay Peninsula." ^ After much discussion, the two men agreed
that the only way in which to strike at the root of the evil would
be to destroy the piratical strongholds in the interior of Borneo,
and not to allow them again to prepare and send forth their fleets
of prahus.
■ ' Sailor's Life,' i. 289.
1843.] KEPPEL IN THE ARCBIPELAQO. 325
Oil Maj' 1st, tberel'ore, Kcppel embarked Brooke, and sailed for
Borneo. On the 8th, he detached three of his boats, under Lieutenant
Frederick Wilmot Horton, to cruise among the islands to the north-
ward ; and these, guided by Brooke, defeated six prahus, some or all
of which belonged to the Kajah of Khio. The boats rejoined the
Dido in the Morataba river, just below the town of Sarawak.' From
Sarawak, Keppel sent one of Brooke's Sarawak-built boats, the
Jolly Bachelor, armed with a brass (j-pr.,and a volunteer crew under
Lieutenant James Hunt, to cruise off Cape Datu, but on no account
to land. Hunt, however, did land on May 20th to cook his provisions,
and then hauled the boat out to her grapnel near some rocks for the
night, with her people, twenty-two all told, on board. At 3 a.m.
on the 21st, he was attacked by two large prahus. After a close
and hot fight, one, in a sinking condition, was taken. The other,
helped by a third which came to her assistance, got away, but with
heavy loss. Each of these prahus carried two guns, and about fifty
men. Hunt, who might well have been censured for his disobedience,
received instead the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief and of the
Admiralty."
Having received from the Eajah Muda Hassim a formal complaint
concerning the depredations of the pirates of Sarebas and Sakarran,
Keppel and Brooke completed their preparations. The ship's boats,
and others, were manned and armed ; the Dido was anchored about
two miles inside the entrance of the Sarebas river,'' and, early in
June, the flotilla pressed up towards the stronghold of the Sarebas
pirates. In the Dido's gig were Keppel and Brooke ; in the second
gig. Lieutenant Edmund Hall Gunnell; in the pinnace, Lieutenant
Frederick Wilmot Horton, with Llate William Luke Partridge,
Assistant-Surgeon John Simpson, jNI.I).,' and Midshijtman Kamsay
Henry Hallowes ; in the first cutter. Midshipman Mdward Heniy
Hughes d'Aeth ; in the second cutter. Master James Edward Elliott,
and Midsbi])man liobert Jenkins; and in the Jollij Bacliclor,
Lieutenant \\'illiam Tottenham, and Midshipman Henry Wandes-
ford Comber. The Dido supplied eighty ofiicers and men, and, in
addition, there were numerous volunteers, and native auxiliaries.
On June lltli. a suddt'U turn of tlic I'ivi'r l)r(iught the expedition
' Tlien called Kuching. The name was alteieil in July. IS 1 1.
2 'Kailor'.s Life,' i. 304; O'Byrno, .055.
' About 50 iiiilcH N.K. of Sarawak.
* Died wjoii after at Siii<:aiiore.
o26 MILITAUY JIJSTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
opposite to a battery of brass guns, fronted by a barrier of stakes.
There were other batteries further up. D'Aeth, in the first cutter,
and Keppel, in the gig, found a way through almost simultaneously,
and, rushing up the incline, D'Aeth captured the first battery before
it had time to fire its guns a second time. He had only three people
wounded. The neighbouring town of Paddi was thereupon burnt,
and the flying enemy was pursued up the river towards Lyai by
Horton and Brooke, who were presently followed by Keppel.
Desultory firing continued during the night, and on the l'2th, the
Malays asked for a truce and a conference. The upshot was that
they agreed to abandon piracy if their lives were spared.
On the 14th, Pakoo,' where there was little resistance, suffered
the same fate as Paddi. On the 17th, while the expedition was on
its way to Eembas,'- another stronghold, it encountered a ver\'
formidable banier of stakes ; but the obstacle was cut through, and
Eembas was also burnt. ^ In all these operations it does not appear
that more than eight people in all were hiirt on the side of the
attacking force. The loss of the pirates was very heavy.
Keppel, being ordered to another part of the station, was unable,
at that time, further to carry out his plans. After his departure two
traders, the Aivia and the Youur/ Queen, belonging to, and accom-
panied by, the Hon. James Erskine Murray,* had occasion to enter
the Kiver Cote, and anchor off Tongarron. There, on February IGth,
1.S44, they were treacherously attacked by masked batteries and gun-
boats, and, shpping their cables, began an almost hopeless attempt
to fight their way out. After thirty-six hours' continuous fighting,
they sustained a final and very bloody action at the mouth of the
Cote, and so got away, yet not until they had lost Murray and two
others killed, and five people wounded.'' At about the same time
the boats of the Wanderer, 16, Commander George Henrj' Seymour,
and Hetrlequiu, 16, Cominander the Hon. George Fowler Hastings,
attacked some piratical settlements^ on the coast of Sumatra, and
inflicted considerable damage, though they suffered some loss. The
Dutch East Indian authorities sent more than one expedition against
' Up a lower branch of the Sarebas.
- Up yet another branch of the Sarebas.
3 'Sailor's Life,' i. ;jll-y21. Singapore Fne Press. Naut. Mag., 184.3, 750:
1S44, 174.
* Bom 1810 ; a Scots advocate, 3ril son of 7th Baron Elibank.
'•" Jlony Kong Gazette.
^ (.(J., at Mui-doo, and Qualloo Battoo.
1844.] THE SAKAIiRAN PIUATES. 327
the freebooters; and, on June ;5nl and 4tb, 1844, Captain Sir
Edward Belcher, C.B., of the Samarany, 26, assisted by Lieutenants
Henry William Baiigh, and Thomas Heard, taught a severe lesson to
some pirates off Gillolo, who attacked them while they were making
observations on shore, and who wounded Belcher and a jNIarine.'
But the Malays and Dyaks became bolder, in spite of such half
measures as were taken against them ; and it was not too soon that,
on July 29th, Keppel, in the Dido, again entered the Eiver Morataba,
on his way up to Sarawak.
It was determined first to proceed against the pirates of Sakarran,
who had not been chastised on the previous occasion. The Dido
was this time aided by the H.E.I. Co.'s steamer Phleycfhoit. On
August 7th, the two vessels were in sight of the fortifications of
Patusen, on the Batang Lupar. The Dido despatched four boats,
besides the JoUy Bachelor, which she officered and manned. The
Phlcgcthon sent four boats. The Dido's contingent numbered eighty-
six all told, including Lieutenants Charles Francis Wade, and Edward
Winterton Tumour, Master Kobert Calder Allen, Mate Edward Henry
Hughes d'Aeth, acting-Mate Eobert Jenkins, Midshipman C
Johnson, and Assistant- Surgeon Eobert Beith. The forts, of which
there were five, were shelled by the PhlegetJion, and then stormed
with great gallantry, the only British loss being one man killed and
two men wounded. No fewer than sixty-four brass guns, besides iron
ones, were found in the place, which was looted and burnt. Himdreds
of prahus were also destroyed. On the same afternoon, a stockaded
post up the rivei- Grahan was evacuated and occupied. Tlius a very
serious blow was dealt at a chief who, for twenty years, had been a
leading patron of pirates, but who now found himself without wai--
boats, guns, ammunition, or shelter for his followers.
A day or two later the force was divided, Tuvmnu- going up the
Undop river, d'Aeth up the Lupar, and Wade and Brooke up the
Sakarran ; but, learning that much opposition was in preparation,
Kepjiel I'ecalled the boats from the Lupar and Sakarran, in order to
concentrate for an attack upon Seriff ^Iiillcr, a cliicf possessing a
town about twenty miles up the Undop, on which stream Turnour,
assisted by Master Allen and Mate Comber, had already captured a
couple of stockades. Progress in the Undop was slow and tedious,
there being regular lianicrs as well as felled trees to l)i> cut through.
On the morning of August 11th, Wade, who had Brooke willi liiiu,
' Lettei- iu Xaut. May., JHlJ, OllO.
328 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
joined, and by 8 a.m. the last barrier below Seriff Muller's position
was cut through. The town, however, was not defended, and the
place was plundered and burnt. It was ascertained that the enemy
had retired twenty-five miles further up the Undop, and the tedious
progress was resumed, only five or six miles, however, being covered
before night, during which d'Aeth's command rejoined, and completed
the strength of the expedition. The attack on Seriff MuUer was
made on the 14th. Part of the position had been taken, and the
force was temporarily halted, when Keppel and Wade, exploring the
jungle with but seven men, suddenlj^ discovered in a creek a number
of boats filled with pirates. The officers had each a double-barrelled
gun, and Wade impetuously fired and dashed in. He was presently
followed by more men, but he could not wait for them to collect in
strength, and, pressing on, in spite of Keppel's efforts to check him,
was struck by two balls, one of which was fatal. The gallant fellow
had hnuself brought up a prayer-book "incase of accident." That
night Keppel read from it Wade's funeral service. On the 15th, the
expedition returned to the PJilegethoii.
On August 17th, the boats started again on an expedition to
Karangan, one of the Sakarran strongholds. The native auxiliaries,
who were ahead, came into action with the pirates on the 19th, and
maintained a bloody flight amid a crowd of boats and rafts in the
river ; until the arrival of Keppel and Brooke, and of the second gig,
containing a rocket tube worked by Master liobert Calder Allen,
drove the foe first behind their barriers, and then in general retreat.
The losses of .the native allies were extremely heavy, owing to the
temerity of their leader ; and among the killed, 31 in munber, was
Mr. Steward, a school-fellow and life-long friend of Brooke. Karangan
itself was taken without opposition ; and on the '20th, the expedition
again dropped down to the Plilegethon. On the '22nd, off Patusen,
that vessel was joined by the boats of the Samarang, 26, Captain
Sir Edward Belcher, which, upon the strength of reports that Keppel
was in serious difficulties, had pushed up to his assistance. They
had moved no less than 120 miles in about thirty hours. ^ On
August 23rd, the entire force was once more at Sarawak.
It was on returning from this commission that Captain Keppel,
finding, upon reaching Portsmouth, that his wife, whom he had
not seen for four- years, was at Droxford, only thirteen miles away,
and that the Dido was ordered round to Sheerness to pay off',
' 'Sailor's Life," ii. IS; ' Exj^d. to Borneo' (Loud. 184:6), passim.
1844-45.] LAXITY OF THE SERVICE. 329
changed clothes with his iNIaster, liobert Calder Allen, and made
that officer personate him, and take the ship to the mouth of the
Thames, Keppel himself picking up his wife, driving with her across
countrj- in a yellow post-chaise, and, at Sheerness, making a
clean breast of his dehnquency to the Captain Superintendent,
William Henry Shirreff, thanks to whose countenance he was able
again to change clothes with Allen, after a three days' absence,
apparently without raising any suspicion in the mind of the Com-
mander-in-Chief, Yice-Admiral Sir John Chambers White, K.C.B.'
The officers in those days did not themselves always observe such
strict discipline as they pretended to enforce. But it was an age in
which, it is to be feared, the entire service had reached its lowest
level of efficiency and keenness. Slackness and indifference, indeed,
must have prevailed to an extraordinary extent, not only afloat, but
also at the Admiralty, where ships on foreign stations were at times
absolutel}' forgotten \>y the officials, and so reduced to serious straits.
For example, at about the end of 1844, the BoijaUst, 10, reached
Singapore from Port Essington, with the followdng strange story.
In a period of twelve months she had lost three commanding
officers : Lieutenant Philip Chetwode, and acting Lieutenants
Gerald Kingsley and Eudo Wells, and, no official commmiication
whatsoever having reached the brig for upwards of a year and a
half, the acting Second Master had Ijeen obliged to promote himself
to keep the pennant flying, and then, in sheer desperation, had gone
to Singapore without orders, both his masts being sprung, and all
his gear so dilapidated as to be practically useless.^ Lieutenant
Graham Ogle had been appointed to the Jiui/aHsf in April, 1844,
but seems to have l)ecn unable to discover her whereabouts, and to
have waited resignedly for several months at Hong Kong, in hopes
that she would turn up. Mr. Charles Parkinson, the acting Second
Master, was not confirmed in his self-given rank.
In 1845 the pirates of the Eastern Archipelago were taught
another severe lesson. Kear-Admiral Sir Thomas John Cochrane,
after having had various conferences with Mr. Brooke, took the
greater part of his squadron to the mouth of the Brunei rivei', where
he anchored on August Gth, and whence, with the Vid-en, steamer,
Commander (jeorgo Giffard, Nemesis (H.E.I. Co.'s steamer), and
Pluto, steamer, Lieutenant Frederick Lane, a party of 150 Marines,
and three or four armed pinnaces, he went up to Brunei to demand
' 'SailoiV Life,' ii. 2H. " Xaal. May., 1815, -Jl'l.
330 MILITABY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
the surrender of a chief named Pauquera Usof , who had behaved ill
in the matter of some slaves. As Usof did not appear, his house
was bombarded and destroyed on August 11th, and a landing party
of Marines brought off twenty-one brass guns, and destroyed a powder
magazine.
Cochrane then moved round to INIalluda Bay, where he arrived
on August 17th, and, assembling his Captains, commimicated to them
his plans for an attack on the pirate chief Seriff Osman, whose head-
quarters were in one of the rivers at the head of the opening.
Piirsuant to these plans, the assigned small-arm men and Marines
of the squadron were transferred to the steamers on the morning of
the 18th ; and these, with the Cruiser, 16, Wolverine, 16, and some
gunboats in tow, moved up as far as the depth of water would
permit. When, the Pluto having gi-omided in her efforts to find
a further passage, it became evident that such large craft could not
be employed, the Eear-Admiral, whose flag was temporarily in the
Vixen, ordered Captain Charles Talbot, of the Vestal, 26, to put
what men he could into the boats, and to proceed. About 340
bluejackets and '200 ^Marines were accordingly embarked as follows : —
III command : Captain Charles Talbot, Vestal.
Second in eummand ; Com. Edward Gennys Fausbawe, f'ruis^^r.
In command of landing party : Com. Henry Lyster, Agiiianirt.
Second : Com. ^Vm. .Jno. Cavendish (.'lifford (n'olt-ertiie).
Adjutant: Lieut. Jas. .\ylmcr l)or>et I'aynter (^Agitu^ourf).
Commanding Koyal ilarines : Capt. Saml. Hawkins, K.5I.
Marine officers: Lieutj.. .\nd. .Jno. Buckingham Hambly, Hy. Chas. Teurose Dyer, Jno. \\ ni. Alex.
Kennedy, and Wm. Mansell ilan-sell, li.M.
Boats of Agincourt (4), Vtstal (3), Jhrdulus (3), Vixen (2), Cruiser (2), Wolverine (2), Fluto, and ^'emesis,
under Lieutenants Marcus Lowther, John lleid, Geo. Morritt, Crawford Aitcheson Denham Pasco, Geo. Gran-
ville Kandol].h, Jas. Willcos, Mortimer Harley Rodney, Henry Shank HiHyar, and Thos. Heard {Samarung):
Mates Phil. W m. May. John Milward Reeves, Chas. Hy Young, Geo. Dtirbin, Chas. Nolloth, Edward Frederick
Dent, and Leonard Gibbard, etc.
The boats started up against a strong breeze, and met with so many
difficulties that they were obliged to anchor below the bar to wait
for the tide. They crossed it, however, soon after 10 p.m., and
re-anchored for the night. At 7 a.m. on August 19th, they weighed
again, Captain Talbot presently going ahead to reconnoitre, and
rejoining live miles up the river with the information that the next
bend would see the boats in front of the enemy's batteries and
stockade, and that below the works a large boom had been thrown
across the stream. The launch and second barge of the Agincourt,
the barge of the Vestal , and the launch of the Dcedalus were then
ordered i^p in line abreast, to anchor by the stern when close to the
boom, and to keep up a fire, while the cutters of the Wolverine,
Dcedalus, and Nemesis were to clear away the boom, supported by
1845.] COCTinAyE AT MALLUDA BAY. 331
the ]'ixciis and I'cstal's pinnaces, the rest of the lioats forniinj,' a
reserve. Ere these instructions conld be fully carried out, a flag of
truce was shown from the fort, whereupon Talbot directed the boats
to anchor, and demanded unconditional surrender in half an hoin-.
A messenger brought a request from Osman for a parley ; but Talbot
refused any concessions, and moved several of his boats up to the
boom, the three cutters under Lyster's direction at once beginning
to attempt to clear it. Another flag of truce brought news that if
a parley were agreed to, two of the boats might go inside the boom :
but Talbot's only reply was that the half hour was nearly up, and
that, if Osman did not surrender, action would commence.
No sooner had this flag withdrawn than the batteries opened on
the boats, which instantly answered with their 12-pr. carronades,
but did not seem to make much impression. When the firing had
gone on for al)out twenty minutes. Lieutenant Paynter obtained
permission to land and try the effect of rockets. These materially
assisted in disconcerting the defenders; yet, as the boom still held,
the boats could not advance. This necessitated the issue of an
order for the guns to husband their ammunition. Not until nearly
an hour had elapsed did one end of the boom give way. Then the
boats went through with a cheer. This was enough for the pirates,
who made but little further resistance, and soon abandoned their
works, which were found to be extremely strong. The chief
battery, little more than two hundred yards above the boom, mounted
one 18-pr., two 1'2-prs., three 9-prs., and two 0-prs. ; a floating
battery of three long 18-prs. enfiladed the boom ; and, for the first
half hour or more, the pirates fired splendidly. The loss on the
British side was (> killed, and 15, including 2 mortally, woujided.
Mate Leonard Gibbard, of the Wolverine, did not long survive his
injuries, and Lieutenant Thomas Heard, and Second Master li. E.
Pym, acting, of the Vrsfal, were also among the wounded. A party
tnider Commander George (iilfard, of the Vixen, afterwards destroyed
the town, and brought off a number of brass guns.'
The proved utility of the boom at Malluda Bay, and of othci-
l)nf)ins which, about the sanu' time, had been encountered in the
course of the operations in New Zealand, led, in the summer of
184G, to the making of a series of experiments at Portsmouth with
somewhat similar obstructions, chiefly in order to determine how
best they niiglit he destroyed. .Mthough it was then demonstrated
' Naut. Mag., 1840, IG ; Qazelle, 1845, p. 6534.
33'2 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
that the explosion of charges in immediate contact with them was
the most satisfactory method, and although, supposing gmipowder
to be insufficient, gun-cotton was already then available, it having
been introduced as a serviceable explosive by C. F. Schonbein in
1845, it does not appear that provision was made in the Navy, until
many years afterwards, for the supply of charges and fuses proper
for the purpose.
Operations against the Borneo pirates were resumed in the
summer of 1846, when the frightful atrocities committed by the
Sultan of Brmiei against allies of the British called for notice.
Bear-Admiral Sir Thomas John Cochrane determined to ascend the
river to Brunei, and to deal with the Sultan, Omar Ali Suffudee, at
his own door. Having, therefore, transferred his flag from the
Agincourt, 72, to the steamer Spiteful, Commander William Mait-
land, he took in tow the Harard, 18, Commander Francis Philip
Egerton, and the Buyali-tt, Commander Graham Ogle, and, preceded
by the H.E.I. Co.'s steamer PhJcgdhon, Commander I\. L. Boss, I.N.,
started up the Cherimon liver on July 7th, accompanied by Mr.
Brooke, some gunboats, and the boats, manned and armed, of several
ships, including the Agincourt, Iris, 26, and Bingdove, 16. Two
batteries near the mouth of the river were neither completed nor
garrisoned, and were not then interfered with. The town lay only
about nine miles up the stream ; but the channel presented so many
difficulties that the Hazard had to be left aground on the bar, and
the rest of the force was irnable to cross it until the morning of
the 8th.
Just below Pulo Bungore five forts were discovered, " admirably
placed," as Cochi'ane says, "for denying a passage bej'ond them."
When the Phlegethon was not far from them, the first of the
batteries opened a spirited fire, which was promptly returned, while
the boats, commanded by Captain George Bodney Mundy, of the
Iris, 26, and Lieutenant George Edwin Patey, first of the Agincourt,
cast ofl' from the steamer, formed in line, made good use of their
guns, and, as soon as the enemy's fire had slackened, pushed in and
gained the bank. The people instantly rushed the steep ascent to
the fort ; but the work was promptly abandoned. As Cochrane was
anxious to proceed, he allowed Mundy time only to spike the guns,
throw them over the walls, and blow up the magazine ; and then,
having given his men their dinners, he weighed again and engaged
the next batteries, which were supported by musketry from the
1846.] OPERATIONS AGAINST BRUNEI. 333
woods on one side of the river. At that point the Spiteful narrowly
escaped running ashore, and might have suffered heavily, had not
the ridegcthon made excellent practice, not only with her own gims,
but also with a battery of field guns which had been placed in her
bows, and with rocket, tubes posted on her bridge — all under the
direction of Lieutenant James Alymer Dorset Paynter, of the Agin-
coiirt. The result of this was that the Malays fled withoiit waiting
to be attacked by the landing parties ; and the works, and heights
commanding the town were presentlj' occupied by the Marines,
under Captain Samuel Hawkins, R.M. Numerous brass and iron
guns, some being 68-prs., were captured, and many of them were
ultimately embarked. There were in all five batteries ; and, had
the enemy stuck to them, a ver}' effective defence might have been
made. The losses on the side of the attack were not heavy, only
two men being killed and seven wounded. That evening Mundy
destroyed all five forts. In his account of the affair, Cochrane
specially commends the conduct of Lieutenants Patey^ and Paynter, '
Captain Hawkins, E.M., Master James Edward Elliott (Agincourt),
and Commander Ross, I.N.
Ascertaining that the Sultan had fled, and believing that he
might be captured, the Commander-in-Chief despatched Mundy,
with the gunboats, 150 Marines, some seamen, and some rocket
tubes, in pursuit of the fugitive. In the meantime he destroyed the
guns in the unfinished forts near the mouth of the river on the
islands of Cherimon and Coin Arrang.
Mundy moved up the river on July 10th, accompanied by
IMr. Brooke in his capacity as her Majesty's agent. He was absent
altogether for six days, and destroyed several magazines, besides
capturing more guns ; but he failed to find his quarry. He had to
make his way through most difficult swampy country, amid con-
tinuous heavy rain, yet, in spite of the terrible discomforts, his
force behaved admirably. He mentions with approval the conduct,
in very trying circumstances, of Lieutenants George Edwin Patey,
Nicholas Vansittart, George Lowcay Norcock, Charles Sydney
Dunbar, Edward Edwin Morgan, Edward Morrell Matli(-ws.
Leopold George Heath, Charles Frankiand Ncwland, and Francis
]3caufort Quin ; Captain Samuel Hawkins, E.M. ; Mate Jolm
Milward Reeves, and other ofliccrs.'-
Cochrane, upon quitting the coast of Borneo, left Mundy, with
' Coin., July Htli, 18!G. » Oazelte, 181U, pp. 3-138, .•Mil, 31-J-!.
334 MILITABl' HISTOItY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
the Iria, and the H.E.I. Co.'s steamer PJilcycthuii, to take further
necessary measures against the Malays. On August ISth, followed
by the boats of the two vessels, and by 400 native allies in thirty war
prahus, Mundy, accompanied b}' Brooke, crossed the bar of the
Mambacoot river to proceed against Hadji Samon, a powerful partisan
of Omar Ali Saffudee, who had a stronghold up the stream. After
about three hours' hard pulling, the boats began to be incommoded
by huge rafts which were sent down from above; and, a little later,
came upon a line of bamboo stakes supporting an immense boom
which had been burst, apparently b}- the force of freshets. Within
eighty yards of these defences was a fort, which opened fire as soon
as the head of the flotilla came in sight of it. A hot action ensued ;
and in ten minutes Lieutenant Alexander Little pushed in and
rushed the fort, only to find that the swivel guns with which it
had been armed had been carried off into the jungle. The work,
however, was destroyed, and the ammunition in it was blown up.
A short distance further on a prahu was captured, though her crew
escaped. In the afternoon, some miles higher, a masked battery
opened on the boats. Its fire was speedily silenced, and the enemy
driven off. An hour later the force bivouacked for the night, and,
early on the 19th, Hadji Samon's last position was bombarded and
captured, the chief, unfortunately, getting away into the jimgle,
though probably with hardly a companion. That night the boats
returned to the ships, having lost, in the course of the expedition,
only 1 killed and 14 wounded, eight of the latter being native allies.'
The Cougreve rockets, on this and other occasions, greatly impressed
the native mind.
On July 31st, a large prahu, fitted for sixty oars, and mounting
a long 1'2-pr. and two 6-pr. brass swivels, was captured by the
boats of the PhlegetJiun, off the mouth of the Tampassuk river.
Discoveries made at the time of the capture of this prize led to
the destruction of the town of Tampassuk, and of all the prahus
in its vicinity, by Captain Peter M'Quhae, of the Dwdalus, and a
force of 250 seamen and Marines. They also induced the despatch
of an expedition against the town of Pandassan, under Captain
Mundy, who took with him 150 seamen and 40 Marines, besides
some Javanese under Commander Eoss, LIST. With the force
were also Lieutenants Leopold George Heath, and George Lowcay
Norcock, R.N., and Lieutenant George Gardiner Alexander, P.M. A.
' :Mundy's letter in Kaut. Ma;/., 18-17, 250.
1846-47.] THE BORNEO PI HATES. :535
The enemy retreated skirmishing, and the town, with the piahus
helouging to it, was burnt.
On August 3rd, 1846, the Iris sighted three large prahus, and
ordered the Eiiujdove, 16, Commander Sir WiUiam Legge George
Hoste, Bart., and Ruijallst, brig, Lieutenant John Eeid, to go in chase.
Reid got within range of the fugitives, but, having a reef in his way,
lowered his gigs, imder Mate Francis Beaufort Quin,^ and Midship-
man Edward Hood Lingard Ray. Quin drove ashore and destroyed
one prahu, and then went to the assistance of Raj", whose most
formidable opponent had faced about, threatening to board him.
Ray, however, judiciously kept at long range, and was already
getting the better of his adversary when Quin amved and ended
the conflict. The affair was most gallantly managed, and the
pirates, ere their craft was taken, lost heavily. The third pi-aliu
got away.
The desperate character of these pirates is indicated by the fact
that, a little later, the crew of a captured prahu, while lying alongside
the Ringdove, rose, killed or wounded all the British on board," and
made off, only however to be subsequently sunk.
One of the results of British action in Borneo was a treaty,
whereby the Sultan ceded the island of Labuan, of which Brooke
was appointed the first governor. This treat}' was ratified at Brunei
on May 28th, 18-47. To lend solemnity to the affair, the H.E.I. Co.'s
steamer Nemesis, Captain Wallage, I.N., which convej-ed Brooke to
Brunei tor the purpose, took thither also Commander Charles Conrad
Grey, of the Columbine, Ki, and Lieutenant David M'Dowall Gordon,
acting Commander of the brig Royalist. While absent upon this
service, the Nemesis, then carrying Brooke and Grey from Brunei
to Labuan, and having a cutter of the Columbine in tow, came upon
a fleet of Balanini or Sooloo pirates in chase of a prahu, off I'ilong
Pilongan. By 1 p.m. the pirate vessels, eleven in number, having
quitted the chase, lay anchored to await attack along a sandy
Ijeacli, with their heads, which were protected by musket-jirool"
planks, to the sea, tiieir sterns, wliieli wi'rc made fast by warps
ashore, in the surf, and a hawser passed from boat to boat. As the
steamer approaclied, the pirntes opened fii'e on her; and a hot action
' He liad been iii'()iiicite<l Id lie Lieul. mi .luiie 6th, 1846, but liad not reeeived his
coniniisHion.
" One of tlie miscreants also thnisl a s|iear tlimiigh one of the Riiirjdove's jiorts,
and mortally woundeil (he Master.
336 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
followed at a range of two hundred yards, the Nemesis being in only
two fathoms, and rolling heavily in a ground swell.
After a two hours' engagement the enemy's fire nearly ceased,
and his prahus were seen to be much damaged. Commander Grey,
taking the Columbijie's cutter and two boats of the Nemesis, then
made a dash at the left of the pirate position, while the steamer
poured in grape and canister on the right and centre. The Sooloos
thereupon cast loose the hawser which held their prahus together ;
and some of them pulled away to the eastward as fast as the
damaged state of their craft would allow, leaving, however, two
prahus in possession of the British. The Nemesis pursued, and
successively drove six more prahus ashore, where they were tem-
porarily abandoned. She continued to chase the remaining three ;
and, while Grey was securing his two prizes, five out of six of the
abandoned boats were remanned, refloated, and very pluckily brought
down to attack Grey's party. This manoeuvre obliged the Nemesis
to return, and, as she did so, the sixth prahu on the beach was
remanned, and escaped with the three to the eastward. Grey and
his boats were roughlj' handled ere the Nemesis reUexed the pressure.
She captured two, and Grey one of the five, the other two getting
away in the rapidly increasing darkness. The enemy, whose strength
was at least 500 men, lost, probably, between 80 and 100 killed, and
twice as many wounded ; and ten brass and five iron guns were
taken from them. The British loss was 1 killed, and 7 (2 mortally)
wounded.^
Du)-ing these years naval operations of a more regular character
had to be undertaken in another quarter of the world. They led up
to a gallant little action, the great merits of which have never,
perhaps, been properly appreciated. Indeed, I find it omitted
altogether from one well-known book which professes to deal with
the active work of the Navy during the period.
In most parts of South America the shaking off of Spanish rule
in the second and third decades of the nineteenth century was
followed by a period of active unrest which often became positive
anarchy. In the Argentine, Don Juan ManiTel de Rosas at length
obtained almost unlimited power, and then turned his attention to
the subjugation of the neighbouring republic of Banda Oriental,
now Uruguay, and of its capital, Montevideo. A renegade Uru-
guayan, Oribe, assisted by Eosas, overran the Banda Oriental, laid
• Xaiit. Ma<j., 1847, 602.
1845.] OPERATIONS IN THE PA I! AN A. 337
siege to Montevideo, and defeated Kiviera, the Uruguayan leader.
His cruelties, however, caused the foreign residents, who were
perhaps unwisely encouraged hy the British consul, and hy Commo-
dore John Brett Purvis, to resist his entrj- into the city ; and the
siege continued, the Argentine naval commander, Commodore
Brown,' an Irishman, co-operating, by blockading the place with
a corvette, two brigs, and seven small craft. French as well as
British interests were seriously affected by this action. On the
score of there being a gi-eat number of British subjects in Monte-
video, Purvis declined to allow the blockade, or to permit any firing
upon the city from seaward ; but later, the Argentines, by seizing
British property, and by their provocative action and non-observance
of treaty engagements, so exasperated the British senior officer, then
Sir Thomas Sabine Pasley, that Eosas was summoned to witluh-aw
his troops. Upon his refusal, in August 184.5, Brown's squadron was
captured, and in part handed over to the Montevideans ; Colonia
was cleared of the enemy ; and it was determined forcibly to re-open
the navigation of the Parana, which hud ])een blocked by the
dictator. First, however, a small British force, consisting of the
Gonjon, 6, paddle, Philomel, 8, Dolphin, 3, and Faiiiii/, schooner,
was sent up the Uruguay Kiver as far as Paysandu, to facilitate the
escape of such foreigners as might be hiding there. This preliminarj-
expedition was cleverly navigated up and down In' Commander
Bartholomew James Sulivan, of the Philomel, and is interesting
as having been undertaken in concert not only with a French force,
Init also with a motley flotilla which was commanded by the famous
Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was then in the service of Montevideo.
In the meantime, Eosas concentrated his opposition at Punta
Obligado, on the Parana, about sixty miles below Eosario. Eear-
Admiral Samuel Hood Inglefield, C.B., was at that time the l:5ritish,
and Eear-Admiral Laine, the French Connnander-in-Chief on the
station ; and those officers, in interpreting the orders of their respec-
tive governments, went, it is now notorious, somewhat beyond
' Kiiowa in Ai'gciiliiic history as Aliniraiite Uuilloiiau (William) liruwn. Lorn at
Foxford, CO. Mayo, June 22nd, 1777 ; died Maicli 3id, 1857, at Buenos Aires, whore,
in tlic public cemetery, there is a niuuunient to liis memory. His name has been given
III line of tlie administrative divisions of the province of liuenos Aires, and to an
Argentine battle.sliip, launched in 1880. lie comniamlcd llie revolutionary navy in
the War of Imlependencc in 1814; and in the war witli Brazil, 182(1-28. he com-
maiidcil Ilic improvised navy of lUienoH Aires. (Letter to tlio Author from II. K. Duu
Florencio L. Duminguez, Argentine Minister in Loudon, Feb. -Ith, l'.)01.)
VOL. VI. Z
338 MILITARY UISTOnr OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1S1G-I85(i.
the intention of their instructions, though it cau scarcely be doubted
that their vigorous measures were, upon the whole, beneficial alike
to South America and to civilisation generally.
The little international squadron told off for forcing the passage
of the Parana was as follows : —
Vessels.
Gorgon, padd..
Firebrand, padd.
Philomel .
Comux .
Dolphiii
^Fanny, ?ch.
'/San, Martin
Fulton, jiadd.
Eccpe'ditive.
Pandour .
Pr
ula
UUNS.
Tons.
0
1111
6
1190
8
428
18
492
3
318
16
10
4
LOMMANDKK.--.
200
G50
Capt. Clias. Hotham ....
Capt. Jas. Hope
Co\n. Bart. Jas. Sulivan .
Com. Ed. Aug. Inglefield (actg.) .
Lieut. Eeginald Thos. Jno. Levinge
Lieut. Astley Cooper Key
Capt. Francois Thomas Trc'lMiuart
Lieut. Mazeres
Lieut. Miuiac
Lieut. Duparo. . ...
Lieut, de La I'ivitMc ...
.N..\
. -10.
K.
w.
0
3
1
1
1
G
•'
2
5
14
0
1
10
25
1
6
2
4
2
10
0
n
1 laUen from <"uninKJii. Hrowu.
The largest of the above drew nearly seventeen feet of water, and
there were but seventeen and three-quarter feet in the shallowest
parts of the river that had to be traversed in going up. All the
British vessels were short of their peace allowance of powder and
shot : not one of them had a rocket on jjoard ; there were only three
field-pieces, without a single shrapnel shell for any of them ; and
but 70 British Marines, under Captain Thomas Hurdle, K.M., accom-
panied the expedition. Looking to the nature of the opposition to
be encountered, it is marvellous that a great disaster did not follow.
Kosas had caused to be moored across the river, with their heads
up stream, twenty-four large hulks, which were held together bj-
three chain cables. On the right bank, four batteries, all with good,
and two with great command, covered this formidable obstruction.
Nos. 1 and 2 were below the boom ; Nos. 3 and 4 above it.^ No. 1
mounted one long brass 36-pr., one long brass 32-pr., four long brass
'24-prs., and a rocket-tube. No. 2 mounted two long brass 32-prs.,
one long brass 24-pr., and three long iron 18-prs. At the rear of
these, posted in a wood, were four field-pieces. No. 3 mounted two
long brass 18-prs., two long iron 18-prs., and fom- field-pieces; and
No. 4 mounted seven short 18-prs. Above the other end of the
boom, near the left bank, were two gunboats, each 'mounting one
' See pJan, ]i. 3i0.
1845.1 THE BATTLE OF OBLIGADO. 339
gun, and the schooner liepuhlicano, which turned a broadside of six
guns towards the luilks. The river is there about half a mile broad.
Near its centre, below the barrier, several fireships lay ready ; and
the enemy, who was in strength, had carefully marked his distances,
so as to be able to fire with the greatest possible effect.
The expedition started from off Martin Garcia on November 8th,
184.5, but made slow progress. On the way up the people were
repeatedly landed for exercise and practice. Of a certain ship's
company, it was discovered that not one man had been taught to
use a musket.' On, November iHth, the force anchored two miles
below Obhgado ; and that night Commander Sulivan, and Lieutenant
Mazeres stole up the river in their boats, and sounded close to the
Iwom and batteries. On the 19th, the position was further re-
connoitred, and plans were made for the attack. Sulivan was given
charge of the left division, consisting of the Philomel, Expeditive,
Fanny, and Prucida. Trehouart himself took command of the right
or heavier division, consisting of the .S'a«. Martin, Comus, Pandour,
and Dolphin ; and the steamers Gorgon, Firebrand, and Fulton
remained in reserve under Hotham.
On the morning of the 20th, the left division weighed, and
moved up past the right division, which had lain overnight nearer
to the enemy. As it reached a point abreast of him, Levinge, in
the Dolphin, without waiting for the rest of his division, weighed,
and ran up the middle of the stream, thereby diverting much of the
enemy's attention from Sulivan's force, which, owing to light breeze
and strong cun-ent, naade but slow progress. Battery No. 1 opened
at 9.50 A.M., the first shot cutting away the ensign halliards of the
Philomrl, which, as she advanced, returning the salute, soon began
to ])e badly knocked about. Indeed, owing to damages received aloft,
she ultimately had to anchor about three hundred yards short of her
assigned position in front of the batteries. The Fanny anchored
near her. The Fxpcditire and Procida, in trying to get their
brf)adsides to bear, were swept a little down stream ere they brought
up. Of the right division, the Dolphin pushed on alone, and at
length anchored within six hundred yards of every gun of the
enemy. For a quarter of an hour she was the most advanced
vessel. Then Treiiouart, in the San Martin, went gallantly ahead
of licr, and sensibly relieved her from the worst of the fii"e. His
unchor was let go for bini by a shot whicli cut the stoppers; but, by
' Sulivan, 72.
z 2
340 MILITABY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-lSoU.
that time, he was very nearly in his assigned position. The Conius,
following the San Martin, got well i;p, but, while trying to spring
her broadside, was swept back to a less effective station. Nor was
the Pandonr able to afford much assistance to Trehouart, who, in
his small brig, occupied a post worthy of a vessel of eight times the
force, and maintained it nobly. On her port beam, well within
six hundred jards of her, were batteries 1, 2, and 3 ; on her port
Scale ol" Yards
500
Conalli
pWSiJlhan-'s track bettueen
^ ' forts 1 & 2
«, REPUBLIC ANO
■^ 0F6GUNS
^CUN BOATS(l GUN EACKI
SAN MART
COMUS^
PANOOURJ^
SAN MARTIN*
,A';y'
FULTON y
FIREBRANOj^j \
:ORGON^, %^^
J Long Brass S6 pdr. {2 LongBrass32pds. {2 Long BrasslSpds. i.7Short IS pds.
1)1 „ „ 32 „ 2.h ■■ •• ^* ■■ SJ^Longlron ,, ,, 4 field Piecesin th,
'\* ,. .. 24pds. 'jsLonglnn 13 ,, '{4 Field Pieces Wood.
I Rocket Tube '
ii'attier &• Boulall sc.
. THE BATTLE OF OBLIGADO, 184:5.
tFi-iun ^' W' anil T^-tttrA of Sir B. ./. Slllivnii,'' hij kind permission of Mr. Joiin jUiirray.)
bow at little greater range were the almost raking guns of batterj' 4 ;
and from nearly ahead she was raked by the Hepuhlicano and
gunboats. In a short time she was entirely disabled, all her guns
that could be brought to bear being put out of action ; yet, even
when her cable was shot away and she began to drift, Trehouart '
brought her up again, and kept his station. Ere the other vessels
succeeded in diverting from him some of the storm of shot to which
' Chevalier says that when the San Martin di'ifted, Trehouart transferred Ids
pennant to, and pushed forward again in, the Expeditice.
1845.] THE BATTLE OF OBLIGADO 341
he had been exposed, iiiid in partially silencing the batteries, the
plucky Frenchman had lost an enormous proportion of his crew
of one hundred men.
At 10.50 A.M. the enemy let loose ten fire-vessels, which, how-
ever, drifted past the allies without doing any harm. The light
wind still prevented the sailing craft from stationing themselves
exactly as had been intended ; but the arrival on the scene of the
three steamers, and the aid which was at once rendered to the
San Martin by the Fulton, afforded compensation. The idea had
been to keep the steamers in the rear until the chain should have
been cut, as it was feared that their machinery would be (]uickly
damaged if they should be long exposed to a heavy fire. Biit
Trehouart's necessity, and the devotion of Mazures when his senior
officer appealed to him, upset all plans. Eventually the Fulton
made her way quite close to the obstruction.
At 11.30 the crew of the Bepublicano deserted her in the gun-
boats, and, having set her on fire, went to reinforce battery No. 4,
which, lying high, was almost intact. No. 8 was then nearly silent,
and the field-guns had been withdrawn from it to the wood. Nos. 1
and '2 had had some guns silenced, but fired steadily wnth the re-
mainder, and called iip fresh guns' crews time after time. At about
noon, a slightly strengthening breeze enabled the sailing craft to
weigh, and move nearer to the defences. At 12.15 the liepublicanu
blew up. Still, however, the obstruction remained unbroken ; and,
as the .S'«/( Martin and Dolphin had not a boat that would float, and
could not, therefore, attempt to cut the chain, Captain Hope, of the
Firebrand, volunteered to do that needful but terribly dangerous
piece of work. He took three boats, and, having picked up
annourers from the Dolphin, pulled for a point in the boom about
sixteen hulks, and 500 yards, distant from the batteries. One
party, under Hope himself, attacked the chain cables that crossed
the deck of one of the hulks ; the other two parties, under Lieu-
tenant William Henry "Webl), Mate Frederick Falkiner Nicholson
i l>iiljilii/i), -.ind Midshipman John Edmund ( 'on nnerell, severed the
riding-cables of three craft. Although a furious and concentrated
fire was poured upon the boom, no one, strange to say, was touched
by it ; and, in four minutes, the three craft swung round in the
current, leaving a gap nearly a hundriMl yards wide.
The Fulton, although she had already fired away all her shot and
shell, passed tlirough at once ; and sho was presently follow(>d by the
342 MILITARY IIISTOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Gorgon and Firebrand, which then, for the first time, got under fire.
They were fresh and almost untouched when, from above the boom,
they began to rake the batteries. Hotham assembled the armed
boats of the squadron near the Gorgon, and, after a brief period of
natural indecision, landed 180 British seamen, 145 Eoyal Marines,
and a small detachment of French seamen. The enemy was still
well posted in the wood, and of unknown but certainly great
strength ; and batterj' No. 4 was continuing its fire. A disembarka-
tion was rapidly effected on the beach below battery- No. 2 : five
guns in that were spiked by Sulivan, who entered it alone ; and
No. 1, which had been recently abandoned, was occupied by parties
under Sulivan, and Lieutenants Astley Cooper Key, and George
Henry Eichards (Philomel). These detachments were at once fired
at hy small-arm men hidden in the trees not fifty yards away ;
but the enemj' was silenced or driven off ere the Marines, rmder
Captain Hiu'dle, could get up. All was then practically over.' Only
batteries 1, 2 and 3 were disabled by nightfall : the flag of Eosas
then still waved over No. 4 ; and there was some firing in the woods
near that battery. On the following day. No. 4 was entered, and
dismantled withoiat resistance.
The losses suffered by each ship engaged will l)e found set forth
in the table on p. 338. On the British side, the officers killed were
Lieutenant Charles John Brickdale {Comus), and Clerk George
Andrews {Dolphin). Among the wounded were Lieutenant Charles
Francis Doyle " {Philomel) (mortally) , Lieutenant Astley Cooper
Key {Fanny), Second Master Eichard Henry Warren {Dolphin),
Assistant Surgeon John Gallagher {Dolphin), and Assistant Clerk
T EUstob {Dolphin):^
In consequence of this action, Hotham was made a K.C.B., and
Hope a C.B.; Sulivan was posted; and Lieutenants Inglefield,
Levinge, Eichards, Doyle, and Key were made Commanders. But
no medal was ever granted for the affair, which, indeed, was prac-
tically disavowed, when Lord Aberdeen, a little later, retui'ned the
' Tlie little resistance that was ofi'ereJ ashore may be attributed to the fact that
Kosas hoped to entrap the squadron further up the 'river. Tliere were also niuuerous
desertions.
^ He had nearly recovered, when, having been accidentalh' given five grains of
morphine, he vomited so violently that his wound reopened, necessitating a fresh
operation under which he sank.
^ Disps. ; Sulivan, 71 ; Chevalier, 123 ; Mackinuou, ' Steam Warfare in the
Parana.'
1H45-4G.] THE HQUADliON IX THE PARANA. ;}43
captured guns with ;ui apology, al'tur having said in pubhc that
Great Britain had no right to force Rosas to open the rivers. Very
different was the view taken in France. The guns which fell to the
French are still to be seen in Paris : Trehouart was made a rear-
admiral ; and Trehouart and Oblii/cnlo were adopted as ship-names
by the French navy.
After the action, Hope, with three boats, gallantly pursued up
the river the schooner Chacabuco, 3, and another vessel mounting
two guns. Hotham, anxious for the issue of the business, sent the
Firebrand and additional boats in support ; but, fortunately, Hope,,
who had but forty men with him, delayed making an attack ; and
the enemy, despairing of saving her, themselves blew up their
schooner, whose crew of two hundred took refuge on shore near
Eosario.
The squadron advanced slowly up the Parana ; and part of it
reached Corrientes on January 20th, 1846, without serious adven-
ture. Hotham himself, in the French steamer Fulton, went as far
as Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. In the meantime, the Dolpliln
and Fanny had gone down to Montevideo for a convoy of sixty
merchantmen, which was to be brought up the river ; and Bosas,
determined, if possible, both to keep in the ships that had already
gone up, and to keep out all others, had assembled about 2000 men,
vfith a dozen heavy field-guns, on the flat summits of the cliffs of
San Lorenzo, fifteen or twenty miles north of Kosario. These cliffs
are four miles long, and the channel, for the whole of that distance,
passes within a quarter of a juile of them. Nevertheless, assisted
by the Firebrand, Dolphin, Fanny, and French corvette. Coquette,
the convoy from below passed up, no one being killed, and only two
men iu the Firebrand^ being wounded, although one of the mer-
chantmen had as many as thirty-four shots in her, and the Firebrand
received two-and-twenty. Less formidable batteries, near Tonneloro,
had abeady been run the gauntlet of ; and both these, and those at
Lorenzo, had to be passed by the Alecto,'^, paddle, Commander
l''iMU(,-is Williaiii .Vusten (2), wliicli, with mails and rockets from
England, followed the convoy, and overtook it at Baxada de Santa
Fe. At about the same time the French steamer Gassmdi joined
the force in the upper waters, without having been attacked on
' She was iu charge of tliat i)art of the river, and remained below tlie batteries
uutil some daj's later, when, going up to Baxadn, she was iiuiled ci^ht times, and had
a mail killed.
344 MILITABY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, ISIG-ISSG.
her way. She brought orders for the Philomel to return to Monte-
video.
By that time the works at San Lorenzo bad been strengthened ;
and wlien, on the evening of April 'ind, the riiilomd ran past them,
she only escaped severe damage by keeping within a cable's length
of the cliffs, so that the shot passed over her.
The batteries were again passed under fire, on April (ith, by the
Alecto; on April -Jlst by the Lizard; and on May 11th l)y the
Harpy, 1, paddle. Lieutenant Edward Halhed Beauchamp ; these
vessels being employed in keeping up communications. The Alecto
had occasion to tow three heavily-laden schooners past Tonneloro
against a three-knot current and a head wind. For twenty minutes
she was almost stationary under a hail of projectiles from seven
18-prs. ; and seventy-five minutes elapsed ere she was able to get out
of range ; yet her Commander was the only man in her who was
wounded. The Lizard, paddle. Lieutenant Henry Manby Tylden,
on her way up, was subjected to a hot fire from the San Lorenzo
works for very nearly two hours, and was riddled from stem to
stern, losing Clerk Charles Barnes, Master's Assistant Webb,'
and two men killed : and four wounded.
During all this time the return convoy was being assembled and
got ready in the upper reaches of the great river. It ultimatel}-
consisted of 110 sail of merchantmen ; and towards the middle of
May it made rendezvous at Baxada de Santa Fe, where, on the
16th, it was joined by Hotham from Comentes. A scheme occurred
to Lieutenant Lauchlan Bellingham Mackinnon, of the Alecto,
whereby the passage of the huge fleet past the batteries of San
Lorenzo might be facilitated ; and this scheme, after examination,
was accepted by Hotham. In pursuance of it, Mackiimon secretly,
and chiefly by night, placed a masked rocket battery upon a scrub-
covered island which lay opposite the most formidable part of the
batteries. He was ably assisted by Lieutenant Charles Loudon
Barnard, E.M.A., Boatswain Hamm, Mr. Baker, a pilot, twelve
Marine Artillerymen, and eleven seamen. In the works opposite,
twenty-eight guns were counted. On June 4th there was a fair
wind, and the convoy, escorted by the Gordon, Firebrand, Dolphin.
Fannij, Lizard, Harpy and Alecto, as well as by several French
men-of-war, passed down, the Gorgon, Fulton, and Alecto leading,
and engaging the batteries as they got within range. At a pre-
1 Eldest son of Lieut. .Mex. Webb, li.K. (1815), who died in 1847.
1845.] BOMBAllDMENT OF TAMATAVE. 345
arranged uiomeut, Mackinnon's i^arty, the presence of which had
been totally unsuspected by the eneni}", discharged a flight of rockets
with great effect, and, at the same time, hoisted a British flag on
the island. A hot rocket lire was kept up ; and so disconcerting did
this prove to be that, strange to say, the entire convoy was enabled
to make the passage without the loss of a single man.' Mackinnon
and his gallant comrades thereupon pulled off safely in their boat,
and rejoined the squadron below the works. ^
There was little further resistance ; and although the allies after-
wards relieved Montevideo from an attack by some of the friends
of Rosas, and, for a time, occupied the cit}', the difficulties at issue
thenceforward became the subject rather of diplomatic negotiations
than of active measiu'es. Many of the advantages which had been
gained were, unfortunately, sacrificed or neutralised by the terms of
the settleraent ; but, in spite of the rather unhandsome manner in
which the services of the Navy on this most creditable expedition
were treated by the Government, it must be admitted that seldom
have British officers, bluejackets, and Marines deserved better of
their country.
In 1810 a very able and enlightened ruler, Radama I., had arisen
in Madagascar. He did there something of the work which Charle-
magne did in Germany and Gaul, Egbert in Saxon Britain, and
Peter the Great in Russia. Unhappily, he died in 1828, and his
power was thereupon usurped by one of his wuves, a woman
superstitious, ignorant, despotic, and cruel. Under Radama, Euro-
pean influences had been encouraged : under his successor, the
policy of the government was one of " ^Madagascar for the Malagasy
savages;" and in 1845, this worthless woman. Queen Ranavalona I.,
endeavoured to force the European traders resident in her dominions
to become her naturalised subjects. This project was, of course,
strongly opposed by Great J5rilain and France, the two nations most
inunediately concerned ; and, accordingly, the Conway, 28, Captain
William Kelly, met the French ships Zvlce and Bcrceau, in Tama-
tave road ; and their commanders did their best to induce the
Queen, by pacific representations, to adopt a less objectionable
policy. Hhe was intractable, and on .Tune 1 ")th, after the Tamatave
' Four meichaulmen, however, ran agruunl, iml ImhI to U' burnt to aavu llieiii
from capture.
= Disps. (HotliaiuV are very iiiea|.,'rc) and OazHU; 18-10, pp. 81"), H(U, .'il'lO, 3'jr>."..
etc.; Mackinnon; Swlivan (till lie went liome). Clievalier Hays uotliing about ovent>
subsetiueut to the battle of (»blii;ado.
346 MILITARY HISTOBT OF THE BOYAL ^'AVY, 1816-1856.
forts had been bombarded, a part}- of 350 inen, under one of the
French captains and Lieutenant Albert Heseltine, landed and ad-
vanced under a smart fire against some of the native works. A
battery was captured and its guns were spiked, and another outwork
was stormed. This had been supposed to be the main fort ; but, as
soon as it was occupied, it was perceived that the main fort was a
far more formidable casemated circular building beyond, mounting
about thirty guns. The outwork was held for more than half an
hour, and a hot musketry fire was maintained from its summit ; but
the force had no guns wherewith to breach the fort, and, as the men
were falling fast, the position was at length abandoned. "While it
was being held, a ludicrous and rather childish quarrel broke out
between the allies. A flag-staff standing on the main fort was shot
through, and fell outwards between the fort and the outwork. Two
British seamen, and a midshipman and two or three Frenchmen
made a rush after the fallen flag, and began a fierce struggle for it
under a hea\'y fire. Thej^ were about to settle the dispute by the
arbitration of the cutlass, when Lieutenant John James Kenned}-,
leapt down among the combatants, and with his knife cut the flag
in twain, gi^^ng half to each party. Kennedy was subsequently
wounded. Several pubhc buildings, and much of the town, were
burnt by the fire of the men-of-war, which are said to have made
excellent practice ; and on the following day another landing-party
brought off such Eiu-opean property as remained. The wounded
were all saved, but the killed had to be abandoned, and their heads
were derisively exposed on the beach by the Hovas, stuck on the
ends of pikes. It was not an eutirely satisfactory demonstration,
seeing that it cost the British 4 killed and 11 wounded, and the
French 17 killed, including three ofiicers, and 43 wounded, and since
its success was by no means convincing. In fact, for many years
afterwards, European influence in the island was scarcely able to
make itself felt at all.
At about the same time a far finer native race than the
Malagasy came into active opposition with the forces of civilisation,
and began a series of struggles which, though very protracted and
very regrettable, ended, twenty or thirty years later, in the loyal and
contented adhesion of the people to the British crown.
The early days of the settlement of the great colony of New
Zealand, and especially of the north island, which has as its original
inhabitants a race of people who are as intelligent as they are war-
1845.] THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND WAR. 347
like, were not without ^raxe troubles. The tirst governor, Captain
William Hobson, E.N.,' placated the natives for a season by entering
with them into the treaty of Waitangi, whereby, in return for their
acknowledgment of the Queen's supremacj', they were guaranteed
the exclusive possession of their lands so long as they might wish to
retain them, while they conceded to the crown the exclusive right
of pre-emption of any lands which might come into the market.
Dying at his post on September 10th, 1S4'2, Hobson was succeeded
by another naval officer, Captain Robert FitzEoy," who, however, did
not reach the colonj^ until a j'ear later. His period of office was very
stormy. Natives who had foolishly traded off fine tracts of country
for a few blankets and guns, realised that they had been swindled,
and were anxious to regain their patrimony ; and there were serious
disputes. Before FitzEoy's arrival there was a lamentable massacre
of white settlers at Wairu. This was followed by two futile and
unpatriotic attempts of the New Zealand Company's agents to
obtain a share in the government ; and then came a rebellion of the
natives, and the capture by the chief, Heki, of Eussell, or, as it was
called in Maori, Karorarika. This was on March 10th, 1S45. In
aiding a detachment of the 96th regiment to defend the station,
a party from the Hazard, 18, lost 6 men killed and 8 people
wounded, including among the latter her captain, Commander
David Robertson.
The victorious Heki pressed his advantage, and began to threaten
Auckland.^ At that date, New Zealand was within the limits of the
East India station ; and the small naval force on the coasts was
supplied l)y ships detached thither from the command of Kear-
Adniiral Sir Thomas John Cochrane, Kt., C.B. The senior officer
was at first Commander Frederick Patten, of the Ospreij, 12, who,
however, was presently superseded by Captain Sir Everard Home,
Bart., of the North St(ir, '2G. Home supplied a small brigade which,
in company with a slender military force, attacked Heki's pah, or
stronghold. Unfortunately, the British had no guns ; and, although
Lieutenant Charles Eandle Egerton did good work with his rocket
party, he failed to set the place on fire. During the engagement, a
sortie and flank attack, made by Heki's brother Kawiti, caused much
loss of life, and led indirectly to the withdrawal of the expedition.
' Posted July Uth, 181^8.
^ The meteorologist; poKted Dec. 3rd, 1834; died ii retired vico-adiii., Apr. .30th, 1865.
' A map of part of the North Island of New Zealand will bo found, illustrating the
more important operations of 1860-64, in the next volume of this History.
348 MILITAIiY niSTOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Militaij' reinforcements having reached the island, a new attack
on the pah was hegun under the command of Colonel Despard.
Four 6-prs. were emploj-ed against the defences during the last
week of June, but they produced little effect. On June 30th, the
Hazard's people, by incredible exertion, dragged a 32-pr. a distance
of 1.5 miles from the sloop, and opened with it from a commanding
hill, 3^et failed to make a breach. After a sortie had been repulsed,
Despard ventured to attempt to storm. A most gallant struggle
ensued ; but the assailants were at length driven back with terrible
loss, among the mortaUy wounded being Lieutenant George Phill-
potts, of the Hazard. On Jiily lOth, nevertheless, it was found
that Heki had abandoned his strong position and retired into
the bush.
Immediately afterwards, Kawiti began the construction of a
much more formidable pah called Euapekapeka, or the Bat's Nest.
It was a wonderful work, with ravelins, bastions, palisades, ditches,
bomb-proofs, and wells ; and within it were a 12-pr. and a 3-pr. It
stood on a ridge of hiU, the sides of which were perpendicular in
several places ; and it lay foui'teen miles inland from the head of the
river Kawakawa, surroi^nded by dense forest. By that time. Home
had been superseded as senior naval officer ; biit, before his superses-
sion, he prepared the plans which were carried out bj' his successor,
Captain Charles Graham,^ of the Castor, 36.
In December, 184.5, Graham landed at the head of about 340
officers, seamen and Marines from the Castor, BaceJiorse, 18,
Commander George James Hay,^ North Star, CaUiope, 28, Captain
Edward Stanlej-, and the H.E.I. Co.'s ship Elphinstone, to assist
Despard and detachments of the 58th and 99th regiments in the
reduction of Euapekapeka. The naval brigade took up two 32-prs.,
and there were other guns. Home was left with a party to hold a
pah comparatively near the river's mouth ; and the rest of the force,
after three weeks of indefatigable labour and exertion, amid torrential
rains, posted a battery, shelled and rocketed the fortress, and, on
January 11th, 1846, taking advantage, it has been asserted, of the
fact that the Christians among the defenders were engaged at divine
service, stormed and captured the pah, after a four hours' deter-
mined struggle. The Navy's loss in the fight was 9 men killed, and a
Midshipman and 17 men womided. Among the officers favourably
' C.B , July 27th, 1846.
= Posted, Jan. 11th ; C.B., July 27th, 1846.
1848.] OPERATIONS IN NICAEAOUA. 349
muutioiied were Lieutenants Robert Jocelyn Otway,' first ol' the
Castor, Maxwell Falcon/ also of the Castor, Arthur Eobert Henry,
of the Racehorse, and Charles Eandle Egerton/ and Alfred John
Curtis, of the NortJi Sfar."^ Kawiti fled, and ultimately surrendered
himself on board the steamer Driver, Commander Courtenay Osborn
Hayes.
Having quieted the northern end of the island, FitzRoy turned
his attention to the southern part of it, where the chiefs Te
Rauperaha and Rangehaieta were on the war path. The first of
these was at length captured in his ))ed, in a stockade at Taupo, on
July '23rd, 184G, by a party of seamen and Marines from the Calliope,
under Captain Edward Stanley, co-operating with Major Lurt, of
the '29th regiment. Rangehaieta was attacked in his stronghold,
and, being driven from it, retreated from position to position, until
he realised the folly of remaining in arms. Desultory hostilities
with other chiefs, especially in the Wanganui district, contimicd
until 1847 ; but, ere that time, the British forces in the island had
been so much strengthened, and the natives had suffered so greatly,
that the more influential chiefs had gladly accepted the terms of
peace ofi'ered them by Captain George Grey,* of the 83rd Foot,
FitzEoy's successor in the governorship. lu the later operations,
besides some of the officers already mentioned, Commander John
Cochrane Hoseason, of the Inflexible, steamer, and Commander
Francis Philip Egertou, then commanding the Ha-^iard, took part.
Their seamen and Marines rendered great assistance to the
troops.
In 1847-8, as on numerous other occasions, the unstable condition
of some of the Central American republics led to the perpetration of
outrages on Britisli subjects, and to the interposition of Britisli
naval officers in order to secure redress. An important case of the
kind happened in Nicaragua early in 1848. A certain Colonel Salas,
of the Nicaraguan army, had carried off two British subjects from
San Juan de Nicaragua ; whereupon the British Consul-Gcncral at
Bluefields had asked the Commander-in-Chief on the station to
afford support and protection for British interests. Rear-Admiral
Charles John Austen promptly sent to Bluefields the Alarm, 20,
Captain Granville George Loch, and the Vixen, 6, paddle, Coinmaucfer
' Com., Jan. 11th, 1846. * QazetU; 1846, pp. '.^340, 2348.
» K.C.U., 1848; afterwaida Govr. df llic Cape, and in 1877-91 Premier of New
Zealand.
350 MILITARY rilSTOSY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Alfred Phillips Byder, which arrived in the first week of February,
and anchored at the mouth of the river. It was understood that the
offending Colonel Salas, whom it w'as intended to bring to reason or
chastise, held a fort at a place called Serapaqui, thirty miles up the
river, which has a very rapid current. The fort lay on a sharp bluff
about fifty feet above the water, at the head of a reach a mile and a
half long, lined on both sides with thick woods. Its rear was pro-
tected bj^ impenetrable forests ; it was believed to be strongly held,
and the only possible landing-place from which it could be entered
was above and in rear of it ; so that the batteries had to be passed
against a five-knot stream ere the landing-place could be even
sighted.
Captain Loch, having under him Commander Eyder, Lievrtenant
Robert Anthony Edward Scott, first of the Vixen, Lieutenant
George Agar Ellis Eidge, and other officers, put 260 men, including
some of the 38th Eegiment, into twelve boats, and, with great
cheerfulness and resolution, set about pulling up the river, in which
he soon encountered most difficult rapids and falls. The people
worked by day and rested by night ; and, after seventy-two hours of
rowing, towing, hfting, and punting, arrived within a short distance
of Serapaqui on Februarj' 11th.
On the following morning Loch and Eyder, while proceeding in
their gigs to endeavour to communicate with Salas, were fired at,
first by two heavy gi;ns at the fort, and then by musketry from both
sides of the river. It was, of course, useless to make further efforts
for a peaceable solution ; and an attack was at once ordered, the two
gigs leading, and being pretty closely followed by some of the lighter
boats. Progress was terribly slow, the current being stronger the
higher the boats went. From both banks, moreover, the concealed
enemy maintained a hot musketry fire, which killed two people, and
wounded several, including Midshipman Nicholas Edward Brook
Turner. It is extraordinary that more were not hurt, seeing that
some of the boats were riddled with buUets, and that nearly all were
delaj'ed by having one or more oars smashed by shot. It took
them, indeed, one hour and forty minutes to pull sufficiently high
up to be able to drop down to the landing-place already mentioned.
But when, led by Loch, the men landed and charged Avith a cheer,
the Nicaraguans broke and fled within ten minutes. Denis Burke,
a stoker of the Vixen, was one of the first ashore, and had the
distinction of taking the enemy's colours, for which the British flag
1843-48.] AFFAIRS IN CHINA. 351
was soon substituted. When the pursuit had continued for about
thirty minutes, Loch recalled his people, and employed them in
disabling the gims, in throwing them and the captured arms into
the river, and in burning the fort and stockades. The party
was then re-embarked, and taken back to the ships. This little
expedition was admirably managed, and deservedly brought a C.B.
to Captain Loch,' and promotion to Commander Eyder ^ and Lieu-
tenant Scott. ^
After the China War of 1839-42, the duty of the British Navy in
the China seas was chiefly restricted * to the protection of legitimate
trade; and at each of the five treaty ports a consul'was established,
with a man-of-war to support his authority. Unfortunately, although
opium was contraband in China, Indian policy required that consuls
and Captains should display a benevolent blindness to those engaged
in the traffic in it, and, if such were British subjects, should protect
them in their persons and property. As China officially discouraged
the opium trade, and, indeed, nearly all import trade with Euro-
peans, while unofficial China craved for opium and welcomed many
other exotic products, and while, at the same time, India did all
that lay in its power to sell its goods, contraband as well as legal,
a very difficult and dangerous situation was created.
In 1848-44 the outrages of alleged pirates upon British trade
carried in Chinese bottoms led some of the consuls to direct the
attention of their naval colleagues to the importance of putting
a stop to the depredations. In consequence, several junks were
captured, and their crews handed over to the Chinese authorities
at Amoy and in the Min. While Keying I'cmained Imperial Com-
missioner, no remonstrance was offered ; but when Sen succeeded
him, strong objections were made against foreign naval interference ;
the upshot being that on May 18th, 1844, by direct order of the
ministry in London, liear-Admiral Sir Thomas John Cochrauf
directed that the ships of h(!r Majesty and tlic H.E.I. Co. should
' May .'30tli, 1848.
' Posted May 2n(l, 1848.
' Com., July 28tli, 1848.
' Althougli, in April, ISIT, owing to the helpless coudition nf the Cliiiiese
Government and its apparent inaljilily to carry out its engagements, a lirilisli foree,
wliicli included the k'siiiiylc, 12, Commander Thomas Pickering Tliompson, and the
riulo, steamer, Lieutenant Fredericlj Lowe, with troops, was obliged to adopt
summary measures in tlie Canton river, and to .attack (April .''ird), capture (A]iril otli).
and destroy (Ajiril i;Gth), the Bogue Forts : wurk whiclj was accomplished without
serious dillicully.
352 MILITARY HISTOny OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-iy5G.
not in future interfere with Chinese craft, unless on absohitely
uriimpeachable evidence of their having molested some British
vessel or subject. The order M'as amended on March 8th, 1845 ;
but onl)' with a view to make its meaning clearer and more stringent.
Naval action was thereby deterred ; and, on the other hand, piracy
correspondingly increased. The Chinese traders in despair hired
armed Portuguese lorchaa to accompanj- their fleets; and, for a
time, it was only when a convo}' thus protected had been attacked,
and the deposition of the European master of the lorcha was obtain-
able, that naval officers thought themselves justified in making prize
of piratical junks, unless, of course, they had themselves actually
witnessed a piratical act.
When Cochrane, after completing his term of command, re-
turned to England, he represented that the Navy's hands were
unwisely hampered by the order ; which, however, was not repealed
until 1849, when Kear- Admiral Sir Francis Augustus Collier held
command on the East India station.
In the interval, a few pirates only were taken and condemned.
On May 31st, 1848, the Scout, 14, Commander Frederick Erskine
Johnston, while on her way to Foo-chow in search of such delin-
quents, sighted and chased two piratical junks near Chimmo Island.
The smaller of the two, carrying 32 men and a 2-pr., with numerous
gingals, was taken without difficulty. The larger made a three
hours" running fight, and then got into shoal water, whither she
was followed by two boats under Lieutenant John James Stephen
JosHng. These pulled alongside under a heavy fire, which killed
a seaman, and wounded Joshng, a Midshipman, and four men;
nor was the prize taken possession of until the Scuiif had managed
to close her, and until Johnston, and three more men, had been
wounded. This junk mounted four 6-prs., and had an immense
assortment of gingals and matchlocks. Soon after her capture she'
went down ; and only 36 of her crew, which had originally numbered
120, were secured. In this case the evidence satisfied the Chinese
authorities at Amoy ; and the prisoners were condemned.'
There would have been many more captures but for the strin-
c'ency of the order ; for the coast literally swarmed with pirates.
In the early morning of Augiist 24th, 1848, the British brig Hector,
which had nearly driven ashore in a gale near Amoy, was brought
out from among a crowd of pirate boats by the gig of the Colum-
1 Hay, ' Suppression of Piracy " (1889.\ 9 ; China Mail.
1848-49.] CHINESE PIRATES. 353
hhir, Id, Commander John Charles Dalrymple Hay, under Hay
himself, and Lieutenant Henry Thomas Lyon ; but, as no attack
had been actually made, and as the order was still unrepealed, no
measures could be taken to destroy the freebooters.
This particular pirate fleet afterwards ran down to Bias Bay,
a few miles north-east of Hong Kong, where its leader, Shap'n'gtzai,
had his dockyard. The scoundrel obtained his European supplies
through the village of Wongmakok, on the south side of Hong Kong
island. On February 2.5th, 1849, Captain d'Acosta, E.E., and
Lieutenant Dwyer, Ceylon Rifles, while out for a walk, near
Wongmakok, were murdered, as ultimately appeared, by Chuiapoo,
the second in command of the pirate fleet in Bias Bay. Some of
these pirates afterwards assassinated Captain d'Amaral, governor
of Macao. They seem to have been emboldened by an unpleasant
incident which had previously occurred at Macao between the
governor, and Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, of the Mceander,
in connection with the imprisonment and forcible release of a too
zealous British missionary named Summers.^
In the spring of 1849 the main pirate fleet, consisting of more
than seventy sail, under Shap'n'gtzai, made its rendezvous at
Tienpakh, and ravaged commerce and the coast from Macao to
the Gulf of Tongking ; while another part of it, forty sail strong,
under Chmapoo, made its headquarters in Bias Bay, and preyed
upon the trade between Hong Kong and Amoy. The daring of the
outlaws was surpxising.
On May 80th, Commander John Cochrane Hoseason, of the
steamer Inflexible, being sent to examine the Lemma islands in
search of pirates who had recently raided Hong Kong harbour, was
fired at by the enemy as he approached ; but his superior gunnerj-
silenced the junks ; and liis boats ; under Lieutenant William Everard
Alplinuso Gordon, brought out eight of them. The Pilot, IG, Com-
mander Edmund Moubray Lyons, was another cruiser which, having
sound evidence whereon to act, was able to do useful service against
the scourge.
On May 13th, 1849, Lyons chased six pirate junks, and, with
his boats, captured and destroyed two. On May •2.5th, he destroyed
a. third, and two days later, a fourth. On June 2nd a fifth, and on
tlic .'ird the sixth fell to him. A lillle later, three more of Chuiapoo's
' Jiiiicii (le La Gravifire, in lievue des Deux Mvudes: Hay, 'Suppression ol'
riiacy'; Kepjicl, 'A Sailor's Life,' ii. 116.
VOL. VI. 2 A
354 MILITAEY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-185G.
squadron having been reported against, he went in chase, and, on
the 25th, destroyed one in Ked Bay, and another off the Lamyat
islands. All these affairs cost him only three people wounded. In
consequence, Chuiapoo, with his division, returned to Bias Bay.
On July •28th the ruf&ans cut out a salt boat from Hong Kong
harbour ; and at about the same time, several vessels which had
sailed from Hong Kong for Singapore were reported missing. The
Medea, steamer. Lieutenant Wilham Nicholas Love Lockyer {actg.
Commander), was therefore sent down the coast by Captain Edward
Norwich Troubridge, senior officer in China, to make inquiries.
Eeaching Tienpakh, on September 7th, Lockyer foimd the inner
harbour crowded with fifty heavily armed junks, the town deserted
by the mandarin for fear of the pirates, and upwards of a hundred
trading junks held for ransom. Lockj^er went in in his gig, and
boarded a pirate, in which he was entertained at tea, and, it would
appear, given some useful information, by one Aku, the clever
mistress of an American master named J. B. Endicott, as to the
situation. He had not, however, sufficient facts on which to act,
and he prepared to resume his voyage ; but, presently meeting a
trader which complained that her consort, with British goods on
board, had been seized by the pirates within, he retm-ned, mamied
and armed his boats, and proceeded to search for the prize con-
taining the British property. Five junks fired at him, whereupon
he attacked and boarded, and, within half an hour, made himself
master of all five, losing, however, one man killed, and nine people
wounded. As the main body of the fleet then got under way as if
to cut off his boats, he burnt his prizes, and withdrew to his ship.
She drew too much water to be able to enter the harbour ; and
the boats were obviously not strong enough to contend with so
numerous a force. ^
Lockyer failed to gain news of the ships which he had been
detached in search of, and, having gone back to Hong Kong, was
sent thence to Whampoa to relieve the Columbine. There he saw
six junks which he had noticed at Tienpakh, and informed against
them ; but the Chinese authorities allowed them to weigh and make
oft". ^Yhen at length, on September 28th, the Chinese despatched
five war junks after the fugitives, the pirates captured the admiral
and his entire squadron, massacred the crews, and roasted the
mandarins and officers ahve.
' Ijockyer to Troubridge, Sept. 8tli, 1849 ; Hay, ' Suppression of Piracy.'
1849.] CUIKESK PlllArES. ■ 355
In the meantime Troubridge had put Lieutenant William Mould,
of the Amazon, and some seamen and Marines, into the trading
steamer Canton,^ Charles Jamieson, master, and had sent him on
further search for the missing vessels. On September '.)th, the
Canton had captured a pirate junk, and released a vessel which
had been captured by her. Later on the same day. Mould had
boarded a sugar junk, vrhich had just been released by Shap'n'gtzai
on payment of 1100 dollars' ransom. That night, he had passed
through a mass of jiinks which he had afterwards ascertained to be
the pirate fleet. Early on the 10th, the Canton had entered Tien-
pakh, and, her boats having been fired at by three junks at anchor
there, she had entered the port, Ijurnt the junks, killed many of the
pirates, and taken 11 prisoners, who reported that Shap'n'gtzai had
sailed on the previous evening. Mould had followed, first to
Nowchow, and then to Hoihow, in Hainan, where he had learnt
of an engagement between the pirates and the Chinese admiral
Hwang. After destroying two more junks off Mamee, the Canton
had returned to Hong Kong on September 15th, and Mould and
his people had rejoined the Amazon.
The Columbine, and the Phleycfhon, of the H.E.I. Co.'s service,
were with the Amazon when the Canton returned. Troubridge had
just been ordered to Singapore, and, leaving Hay as senior officer
on the spot, he desired him to carry out certain instructions. In
pursuance of these, Hay searched various ports along the coast,
and then ran over to Macao, and put himself into comnmnication
with the United States' Commodore Geisinger, who was there in
the Plymouth. One of Geisinger's officers. Lieutenant Thomas
Jefferson Page," had captured two pirate junks which had seized
Ameiican cargoes ; and, as the Portuguese at Macao would not
receive the prizes, Geisinger desired that the- pirates should be
tried in the Admiralty Court at Hong Kong. He therefore handed
over the junks to I lay, wlio obtained the approval of Governor
Samu(!l George Bonham ; whereupon the trial took place on
October 4th.
At the trial full inforniation came out as to the history and
proceedings of Shap'n'gtzai, otherwise Chang-shih-wu-t/,, wlio liiul
lived in Hong Kong, under British protection, until ISKj, and of
Chuiapoo, otherwise Tzeeapo, who also had lived in Victoria as a
' or tljo r. & (). Cii.
" Afterwards an ailiiiii\il in tliu ,\r''i>ntino service.
356 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-185G.
barber and a collector of facts which might be useful to him in
his murderous profession. Just before the trial, Shap'n'gtzai had
attacked and murdered a rival pirate and his people, and had then
opened negotiations with the Chinese government with a view to
entering the Chinese navy with his officers and fleet, and clearing
the seas of other freebooters. Hajppily, the terms demanded were
too high ; and Shap'n'gtzai had to settle with the requirements
of justice in another manner.'
On September 27th, 1849, Governor Bonham informed Hay that
Chuiapoo was ravaging the coast about ninety miles to the eastward
of Hong Kong. No other vessel being ready. Hay went in chase with
the Columbine only. On the night of the 28th, fourteen pirate junks
were observed leaving Tysami, which was in flames. Followed and
closed, they refused to heave to, and showed a desire to fight. The
Columbine anticipated them by pouring thi-ee broadsides into their
leader, and then, the breeze having fallen, had to manoeuvre by
means of her sweeps. After a brisk action, the pirates made off early
in the morning of the 29th, pursued by the sloop. In the chase,
three junks, which had suffered more than the rest, were abandoned,
their crews being distributed among the remaining eleven. Towards
noon, the Canton was seen approaching. She had been chartered
by an American, Mr. Watkins, to search for a missing ship; and,
with Watkins's cordial consent, her master, Mr. Jamieson, gallantly
steamed for the pirates. They were, however, too strong for him,
and all he could ultimately do was to endeavour to tow the Columbine
into action, but, receiving a shot through his steam chest, he could not
accomplish even that. The Columbine herself grounded while trying
to follow one of the pirates, and had to be towed off, but, when still
aground, she sent her pinnace, cutter and gig, under Lieutenant
James Henry Bridges, who was accompanied by Mr. Watkins, after
the fugitive. These boarded and carried her after a desperate
struggle. Seeing one of the pirates mnning below with a lighted
joss-stick, as if to blow up the magazine. Midshipman Charles
Eamsay Goddard dashed after him, but, ere he could come up with
him, the fellow fired the powder. The explosion so seriously injured
the brave Midshipman that he died next day. Besides him, three
men were killed, and six wounded in the attack.^
' China Mail, Oct. 4th, Oct. 11th, 1849.
2 Hay to Collier, Sept. 30th, 1849 ; Hoyiij Komj Register, Oct. 2ntl, 1849 ; China
Mail, Oct. 4th, 1849.
1849.] CHINESE PIIiATES. 357
The Canton towed the Cohiinhinr to the entrance of Bias Bay,
and then proceeded with the wounded to Hong Kong, where she
handed Hay's dispatch to the Commander-in-Chief, who happened
to be there. Sir Francis Augustus Colher instantly ordered the
Furij, steamer, 0, Commander James Willcox, with a strong detach-
ment of seamen and Marines under Lieutenant Wilham Garnham
Luard, of the fiagship Hastings, to go to the assistance of the
Columbine. She joined her verj- eai'lj- on October 1st, arid, as soon
as the hght served, towed her to the mouth of Fanlokong creek.'
The Columbine anchored off the mouth of this ; and Hay, sounding
in his boat, piloted the Funj up it, and soon discovered fifteen junks
in line, which opened fire at about 10 a.m. The Fury replied
smartly, and, in about three quarters of an hour, silenced the flotilla.
The boats of both ships were then sent in, and by 4.30 p.m., under
cover of an occasional shell, destroyed twenty-three pirate vessels,
thi'ee new junks on the stocks, and many stores in the Typoon
dockyard, capturing also more than two hmidred guns. Although
the Funfx hull was penetrated in thirty-two places, but one of her
people was wounded. Such was the end of the I'emains of Chuiapoo's
division.''
On the return to Hong Kong of the Columbine and I'urij,
Sir George Augustus Collier desired Hay to take measures for
dealing in a like manner with Shap'n'gtzai's fleet, to the westward.
The Furij, and the H.E.I. Co.'s steamer Phler/ethon, Commander
G. T. Niblett, I.N., were put under his orders, and he was allowed
a free hand.
The little command left Hong Kong on October 8th, and worked
along to Hoihow, where, meeting admiral Hwang, Hay and Willcox
accompanied that officer to Kiungchau, the capital of Hain;in, to
see Governor Ho, in order to obtain permission for Hwang to co-
operate. Permission was readily granted for Hwang and his staff
to embark in the Furi/ ; and it was arranged that Hwang's junks,
if thej- could not keep up with the British, were to make rendezvous
at Guiechau island. The moral effect of this association was good,
though its fighting value was nothing, seeing that the junks were
not sighted again.
Shap'n'gtzai was followed to I'akhoi, thence to Chiikshan, and
' An arm of Bias Bay.
' Hay to Collier, Oct. 2nd. 1849 ; Hong Kong letter of Oct. oOlli, in '/'inifs ; FritiiU
of CMmt, Oct. 2!ltli, 1H.19; 7Vw.s Dec. 22n(l, 1K41).
ii58 MILITARY HISTOIIY OP THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
thence, still further to the westward, into waters for which there
Avere then neither charts nor sailing directions. The pirate had
hidden himself inside the bar in the Cua Keum, or Cua Cam, one
of the three mouths of the Eed Eiver, or Sangwa, which then
formed the boundary between China and Cochin China. From this
mouth numerous creeks extend into the other mouths, the Cua Nam
Trou and the Cua Tray ; and all the mouths iim into one long, deep
lagoon, which discharges over the bar into the sea. Ten miles up
the Cua Keum is the town of Haiphong, then Cochin Chinese, and
not, as now, French. Shap'n'gtzai had threatened that place in
order to obtain supplies, so that the local authorities -svished well to
the British.
The squadron pushed slowly up through the archipelago of the
estuaiy ; and, on October 18th, at Gowtosham, found a suspicious
junk, which the PJdegethon destroyed, and from which a couple of
prisoners were taken. One of these revealed that the pirates were
twelve miles away among the islands, and that the destroyed junlc
had been their look-out vessel. On the 19th, Hay, with Willcox,
Hwang, and an interpreter, reconnoitred, and satisfied himself that
the pirates were in the Cua Keum, and were preparing to attack
Haiphong. On the 20th, he saw them over the islands, and, after
vain attempts to find a channel to them, fell in with a fishennan
who volunteered to point one out. As the squadron approached,
"it was seen,'' says Hay, "that twenty-seveo of the tleut were aucliored iDshore of
the banks .and islands which lay opposite to the Ciia Keum. They were anchored
in a line slightly concave to the sea and river mouth, and extended about a wile and
a half, with their heads to the north, and springs on tlieir cables. The flagship, of
42 guns, was twelfth from the van, and the other twenty-six seemed able to show
nine guns on the broadside. Two hundred and sixty-four guns wera therefore bearing
on tlie narrow entrance. They were anchored in close order, and there was no room
or more to anchor in line at that anchorage. T'he islands and mud flats -were too
wide to make it possible to shell them from outside. They were too strong to be
attacked with the Plilegethcn and boats alone, and when the estuary in which they
were anchored was entered by the squadron, it was too narrow to make it practicable
to take advantage of accurate fire from a distnnce."
At about 4.80 on October 2Gth, Hay, who was in the Plilegethon,
led in, followed by the Fury, which had the Columbine in tow. As
soon as the PJiIegcfhuii was inside the bar, the pirates opened fire.
Unfortunately for the enemy, the tide, which had just begun to ebb,
switng the pirates so that they lay in a bow and quarter line, with
their heads to the north-west, and their broadsides bearing across
one another's sterns. Ere they could correct this, the attackers
liS-19.] CHINESE PIBATES. 359
seized the opportunity of placing themselves in positions of com-
parative immunity. The Columbine anchored about six hundred
yards from the flagship's quarter ; the Phlegethon engaged and
destroyed the two rear ships, the only ones whose guns bore upon
the Columbine ; and the Furij dealt with the van. "When Hay had
destroyed the two ships mentioned, he went in his boat to the Fury,
which, he found, had destroyed the four van ships, and was engaging
the next vessel, to the gi-eat delight of admiral Hwang. Hay then
rowed on to the Columbine. As he went, the pirate flagship blew
up, and her hull began to drift down towards the sloop, until Niblett
pushed in with the Phlegethon, and towed the Columbine out of
danger. By nightfall all the twenty-seven junks were entirely
destroyed ; but Shap'n'gtzai had saved himself ; and the island
between Cua Keum and Cua Nam Trou was full of fugitives, while,
in a creek two miles higher up were numerous pirate ships that had
not been able to find anchorage on the scene of the action ; and
still other vessels were in the Cua Tray. Nowhere, however, were
more than nine lying together. After service on Sunday the 21st,
the Phlegethon, with the Columbines boats, went into the Cua Tray ;
the paddle-box boats of the Funj, under Lieutenant George Hancock,
entered one of the creeks opening from the Cua Keum ; and the Fury
and Columbine remained to blockade the river at the point of junction
of the various channels. In the Cua Tray, twenty craft were
destroyed ; Hancock accounted for nine ; in all, thirty wore taken
or sunk that day. On the 22nd the Chinese authorities from
Haiphong arrived to take possession of the wrecks, the guns, and
the fugitives on the islands, and to express their gi-atitude.' Lieu-
tenant George Edward Serocold Pearce Serocold, of the Columbine,
seems to have been the only person hurt on the British side in the
action.
On the 23rd the squadron sailed, the Plilcgethon being sub-
sequently detached with news to Tienpakh, and the other two
vessels, after having called at various places, anchoring at Hong
Kong on November 1st, to find that the Commander-in-Chief, Sir
Francis Augustus Collier, had died three days before. He had.
only just ])efore his death, cancelled the mischievous order ol'
March 8th, 1845.
' Naut. Mdij., lh5'J (HiiyV leniaiks), G3, 138 ; Hay, ' Sui>i). nl' ririuy,' etc. (1889) ; B.
Scott, ' Accouut of Dest. uf Fleets,' etc. (1851) ; Tiiiits, Jan. li'Jnd, ISOO ; Hay to Collier,
Oct. 23rd, 184<).
360 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
For their services on these occasions Commanders Edmund
Moubray Lyons/ John Charles Dahymple Hay,'- and James Will-
cox ^ were posted ; Lieutenants George Hancock/ and James Henry
Bridges '^ were made Commanders ; and Mates Ennis Chambers,"
Francis Arden Close,' and Douglas AValker ** were made Lieutenants.
The operations were exceedingly well-conducted throughout ;
and, although it cannot be pretended that the pirates, when once
they were brought to bay, were formidable or even worthy opponents
for British warships, it is impossible to withhold admiration for the
manner in which, in defiance of the difticulties raised by the ministry
at home, the naval officers in China not only hunted down and
destroyed the freebooters, but also gained from the local repre-
sentatives of the United States, Portugal, China, and Cochin China
the aid and support without which they would have been seriously
crippled in their proceedings.
Piracy was also rife in many other quarters during this period.
The Moorish pirates, whose outrages have been mentioned so often
in these pages, continued their depredations well into the second
half of the nineteenth century ; and they perpetrated outrages not
only in the Mediterranean but also in the Atlantic, where, on one
particular occasion, a piratical flotilla of several vessels was known
to be cruising off Cape St. Vincent, though it does not appear that it
was ever caught. A band of Moorish pirates was, however, severely
chastised by the Fantome, 16, Commander Sir Frederick WiUiam
Erskine Nicolson, Bart. The freebooters had captured a British
merchant brig, the Bidli, and Nicolson was sent from Gibraltar in
pursuit. Finding his enemies off Cape Treforcas on May l'2th, 1846,
in possession of the brig, which was aground under cover of a large
force drawn up on the beach, he manned and armed his boats, and
sent his Master, Francis Herbert Niblett, with one party, to get the
prize off, while he, vdth another party, occupied the attention of the
Moors, and eventually drove them from the shore. The brig, with
her valuable cargo, was recovered, and very many of the pirates
were slain ; but the enterprise cost the life of Midshipman Eichard
Boys, and the wounding of eight people, including the first
Lieutenant, John Sanderson (2)." In this affair every officer of
' Oct. 4th, 1849. ' Aug. 3rd, ISoO.
2 Jan. 20th, 1850. ^ Jan. 15th, 1850.
' April 10th, 1850. ' May 20th, 1850.
* Jan. 24th, 1850. ' Sept. 2nd, 1850.
" Letter in Naut. Mag., 1846, p. 373 ; O'Byrne pp. 817, 1025.
1846-51.] MOOniSH PIRATES. 36l
the Fantomc was engaged, incliuling the Surgeon and the Clerk.
Nicolson was posted as from the day of the action, and Sanderson
was made Commander as from the same date.
Later in the same year, the hoats of the Siren, 16, Commander
Harry Edmund Edgell, under Lieutenant Edmund Moubray Lyons,
captured four piratical craft, with sixty men, near the Turkish
island of Stanchio.'
On October 31st, 1848, the merchant brig, Three Sisters, left
Gibraltar with a cargo for Malta. Two days later, while be-
calmed off Cape Treforcas, she was attacked by several armed and
strongly-manned pulling boats from the Riff coast of Marocco.
The master of the brig, unable to offer anj^ resistance, ordered
his crew into the boat and abandoned the vessel, making for the
open sea, and being fired at as he went. The Three Sisters was
towed by her captors into a neighbouring bay. The fugitives were
picked up by another British brig, and carried back to Gibraltar.
On the same evening the steam sloop Polyphemus, Commander
James Johnstone M'Cleverty, started thence on a punitive ex-
pedition, and, on the following morning early, ran into Al Khoyamich
bay, cruising onwards towards Cape Treforcas. On the morning of
November 8th, upon opening Point Calla Tremontana, she sighted
the prize ashore; below some precipices and ravines which were
crowded with armed men, \yho commanded Ijoth the Three Sisters
and their own boats, seven in number. There were at least five
hundred of them. As the Polijpliemus neared the brig the pirates
fired at her, and she returned the compliment with grape, canister,
and musk(!try, driving the foe to more secure positions. Lieutenant
Alan Henry Gardner volunteered to go in the cutter, with a hawser,
weigh the brig's anchor, and take her in tow. He successfully
carried out his plan ; but, ere it could be completed, the pirates got
a 6-pr. or '.)-pr. gun into a position where the sloop could not
effectively reply to it, and, supporting it with musketry, wounded
Lieutenant Edward Frodsham Noel K. Wasey. and tw(i scanuMi. In
the cutter only one man was hit.
M'Cleverty, perhaps i-ightly, refi-;iin(Ml Imm landing to Imiii tlie
pirates' boats, as he feared lest he could not carry out the service
without incurring serious loss. It was, however, unfortunatt; tliat
he could not road the offenders a severer lesson, for they wvw soon
again at tiicir old trade.
' Naut. Mag., 1846, 651.
362 MILITAhY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
In 1851 they captured the Spanish vessel Joveii Emilia ; and on
Octoher 5th of the same year, a murderous act of piracy, committed
by some of them in Botoya bay on the brigantine Violet, caused
the governor of Gibraltar to send to the spot the Janus, 4, paddle.
Lieutenant Eichard Ashmore Powell. Powell departed on October
17th, arrived off the Eiff coast on the following daj', and, though
seeing nothing of the Violet, found the Joveii Emilia, high on the
beach, entirely stripped. He manned his boats and proceeded to
the wreck, where he dispersed a bodj' of Moors, and destroyed some
of their boats. On the 19th, off Cape Treforcas, the ribs of the
Violet were discovered on the beach ; and, as the Bedouins in the
neighbourhood fired at the steamer, the Jan us' s boats were again
manned and armed, and a landing was effected with the object of
destroying the enemj-'s coasters. Unhappily the pirates were in too
great force for the small party to be able to deal with them. The
people, after a brisk fight, had to retire with a loss of eight
wounded, including Lieutenant Powell, who, however, was solaced
for his hurt by being soon afterwards made a Commander.^
There was much talk at Gibraltar of avenging this check, and
of sending an overpowering expedition against the marauders,
accompanied by the Arethiisa and Dauntless; but although the
Janus, escorted by the Dragon, 6, paddle, Captain Henry Wells
Giffard, returned early in the following year to survey the scene of
the disaster, and was again fired at by the Moors, it does not appear
that any adequate reprisals were ever carried out against the
ofl'enders.
The good work done among the pirates of the Borneo seas by
Keppel, Cochrane, Mundy, Eajah Brooke, and others, in 1845-47
had had the effect of greatly reducing the number of outrages on
harmless traders and peaceable natives, but had not put a complete
stop to them ; and in the summer of 1849 advantage was taken of
the fact that many pirates were known to be then at sea, to despatch
against them an expedition under Commander Arthiu: Farquhar, of
the Albatross, 16, who had with him the Boijalist, the H.E.I. Co.'s
steamer Nemesis, the steam-tender Baitee, and a native flotilla under
Eajah Brooke. The force first took up a position across the mouth
of the Sarebas river, which was threatened with a visit from the
freebooters ; but on June 30th, learning that some pirates had
attacked Palo, and gone thence into the Si Maring river, not far
1 Nov. 4th, 1851.
1849.] MALAY PIBATES. 31)3
li-uiu him, Parquhar made preparations i'or action. Ou the evening
of the 31st the enemy was reported to be approaching, and the
squadron got under way, the Nemesis proceeding to seaward to cut
off fugitives, and the rest of the vessels bearing down upon the foe.
Seeing the British tactics the pirates then made for the Kaluka
river, but were opposed by boats under Lieutenants Arthur Wihns-
hurst, and Hemy Bryan Everest. This led to a running action along
the coast, and, as darkness had fallen, it was extremel}- difficult to
distinguish friends from foes. Numerous prahus, however, were
sunk, the crew of one of them, while in the water, being fearfully
cut up by the paddles of the Nemesis. In the small hours of July 1st
Farquhar sent off the liaitce with dispatches for Brooke, who was
then in the Kaluka, and himself entered the Sarebas river to prevent
the escape of any of the pirates by the Eembas branch. Dawn
showed the bay to be a tangle of wreckage. On the left bank of the
river more than seventy prahus were ashore ; and it was calculated
that of 120 which had been in the Si Maring, fully eighty, with
nearly 1200 Malays, had been destroyed. On the British side only
a few slight injuries were received. Farquhar^ afterwards burnt
other prahus and some villages in the Sarebas, and j^et others in the
Eejang, and taught a lesson so severe and wholesome that it was
not forgotten for many years. Nevertheless, the operations were
adversely criticised in some quarters at home, and were freely,
though falsely, supposed to have been dictated by considerations
wholly personal to Sir James Brooke, whose conduct was never done
full justice to until long afterwards.
It is impossible to find space here for mention of all the other
gallant deeds that were done at about this time by the officers and
men of vessels cruising for the repression of piracy and the slave
trade. Something, however, must be said concerning a few of these
exploits.
On August 13th, 1844, being off Fish Bay, on the West Coast of
Africa, in a four-oared gig, with but one spare hand. Mate John
Francis Tottenham, of the Hyacinfli, 18, Commander Francis Scott,
pursued, and ultiuiatcly drove ashore, a Brazilian slave brig of 200
tons, carrying two 4-prs., and a well-armed crew of eighteen, four of
whom were wounded by the fire from Tottenham's musket. For
this service, Tottenham was made a Lieutenant on December 27th
following. -
' Posted, Oct. 2"ih, 1849. " Gaiettc, 1844, pp. 5315-fl.
364 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
On January l'2th, 1845, Lieutenant John Lodwick, first ot the
steam sloop Growler, Commander Claude Henry Mason Buckle,
while away cruising in the pinnace on the African coast, fell in with
a suspicious felucca, which, on seeing the hoat, hove to, though she
might have escaped easily. When the pinnace was within thirty
yards of the stranger, a whole tier of musket barrels was thrust over
the bulwarks. Lodwick cheered on his men to board, and the
felucca, as she opened fire, filled and went oft'. Lodwick replied
with a round shot and 180 balls in a bag ; but his enemy was too
strong for him. Two of his men were shot dead ; Lodwick himself
and two others were severely wounded ; six oars were smashed ; and
the pursuit had to be abandoned, the damaged and crippled boat
being picked up by the Growler as she stood towards Gallinas. The
felucca, which was afterwards overhauled and captured by a steamer,
had the reputation of being one of the fastest craft on the coast,
and had a crew of seventy English, French, and American scoun-
drels, with an Enghsh commander. Lodwick, for his bravery, was
promoted on May 1st, 1845.
On February 27th, 1845, the Wasp, 1(3, Commander Sydney
Henry Ussher, was cruising near Lagos, when she sighted a strange
sail, and sent Lieutenant Robert Douglas Stupart in a boat in
pursi;it. In the evening the stranger was come up with, and found
to be the Brazihan slave schooner FcUcidade, with a crew of twenty-
eight men. All of these, except the master and one other man,
were transferred to the Wasp, and Stupart, with a Midshipman
and fifteen seamen, remained in charge. On March 1st the
boats of the Felicidadc captured another prize, the Echo, with
430 slaves on board. Stupart shifted to her, leaving the Mid-
shipman (Mr. Harmer), and eight men in the Felicidade ; and both
vessels then headed for Sieixa Leone, where they were to have been
condemned. They unfortunately separated, and, most of the Echo's
people having been transferred to the Felicidade, there was a rising
which resulted in the miu'der of all the Englishmen in the latter
vessel, and the recaj)ture of the slaver. She was, however, again
taken on March 6th by the .SVar, 6, Commander Eobert John
Wallace Dunlop, who, suspecting that there had been foul play, took
the pirates to Ascension, and put Lieutenant John Wilson ' (6) in
charge of the prize to carry her to Sierra Leone. On the voyage
thither, the Felicidade encountered a heavy squall, which threw her
' A Lieut, of Feb. 22ud, 1843.
1H44-46.] ENGAGEMENTS WITH SLAVERS. 365
on lier beam ends and left her water-logged, so much so, indeed, that
the people had hteraUy to huddle together on the gumvale. They
had no boat, and could not get at their provisions, though they re-
peatedly endeavoured to dive lor them. In these straits they made
a small raft, and embarked, ten persons in all, for a two hundred
mile voyage, without rudder, oar, or compass, and with scarcely any
provisions and no water. This was on March 16th. They supported
themselves by catching rain water in their little sail, and by capturing
four of the numerous sharks which continiially accompanied them ;
but they were not rescued until April 5th, when they were picked
up in sight of land by the Cijf/net, 6, Commander Henry Layton.
Five of the unfortunates died ; but Wilson and four seamen survived
and recovered their strength.
On May 26th, 1845, after a two days' chase, the Pantahun, 10,
Commander Edmund Wilson, being then close to Lagos, came up
with a large slave ship. Owing to a calm, the British sloop could
not approach within about two miles. Wilson, therefore, hoisted
out his cutter and two whale jjoats, which he placed under the
command of his first Lieutenant, Lewis de Teissier Prevost, his
Master, John Thomas Crout, and his Boatswain, Mr. Pasco. About
thirty seamen and Marines formed the attacking party, which, as it
neared the slaver, was exposed to a heavy fire of round, grape, and
canister. This was replied to with musketry. The boats were
half an horn- under fire ere they could get alongside. Prevost and
Pasco boarded on the starboard, and Crout from the cutter on the
port. Crout actually leapt through a gun port as the giui was being
discharged through it, and his seconder was blown into the water by
the blast, but was soon up again. There was a most desperate hand
to hand fight on deck, and the slavers were not overpowered until
they had lost 7 killed and as iiiaiiy wounded. The ])rize was a
))olacca-rigged craft of 450 tons, carrying four 12-prs. and about fifty
people, and she was a pirate as well as a slaver. The British
loss was 2 killed or fatally injui'ed, and 6, including Crout and
Pasco, wounded. Prevost was promoted on August 30th foljuwing.'
I'nfortunately there was in those days no means for adequately
rewarding the gallantry of officers like Crout and Pasco.
At about the beginning of the year 1846 an extraordinary affair
happened at Maranhao, in northein l^inzil. The Alert, 6, Com-
mander Charl(>s John Bosanquet, having captured a Brazilian
' Naut. Mwj., IKlf), p. fill; O'Rynio, !I25.
366 MILITABT HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
slaver, containing between seventy and eighty slaves, off Cabinda,
despatched her, under Mate Edward Frodsham Noel K. Wasey, to
Sierra Leone, for adjudication. By continuous bad weather she
was driven to Maranhao, where she arrived with seven feet of water
in the hold, and in a sinking condition. While Wasey was on shore
endeavouring to obtain protection for the slaves until he could
procure another vessel, a party of brigands, disguised as Brazilian
soldiers, visited the prize, and invited crew and slaves to land, as
the water was washing over the decks. The crew, having no orders
to stir, refused ; but the slaves were taken ashore, and were never
afterwards recovered.' In consequence of the manner in which he
had managed his water-logged craft, Wasey was promoted on
March 10th, 1846, to be Lieutenant.
Difficulties with Arab chiefs concerning the slave traffic between
Madagascar and the mainland summoned the President, 50, Captain
WiUiam Pearce Stanley, bearing the flag of Eear-Admiral James
Eichard Dacres (2) to the neighbom-hood in 1847, and ultimately
led to an attack by her boats on a stockaded position at Anjoxa.
The fighting, however, was not of a very serious description.
On July 22nd, 1847, the Waterwitch, 10, Commander Thomas
Francis Birch, having the Bapid, 10, Commander Edward Dixon,
in company, captured the Brazilian slave brigantine, Borneo Priiiicro,
and subseqiiently sent her, under Lieutenant Walter George
Mansfield, with four seamen, to St. Helena for adjudication.
Mansfield foimd himself obliged to bear up for Sierra Leone, and,
on August 11th, four of the slaver crew rose on him and his men.
Mansfield, though wounded in nine places, succeeded in pre-
serving the prize, but lost one of his people in the struggle. On
September 1st he entered port. On his recovery he was deservedly
promoted.^
In the following year. Lieutenant Francis James d'Aguilar, of
the Grecian, 16, Commander Louis Symonds Tindal, defeated an
attempt, somewhat similar to that made at Maranhao in 1846, to
retake a prize slaver at Bahia. In this case, however, the people
from the shore employed force, and had to be repelled by musketry
fire, losing 10 killed and 30 wounded. D'Aguilar's prize crew
consisted of 10 men only, and the officer and most of his people
were wounded.
In 1848, the Bonetta, 3, Lieutenant Frederick Edwyn Forbes,
' Naut. Standard, 18-lG. ^ Com. Dec. 31st, 1847.
1847-51.] ENGAGEMENTS WITH SLAVERS. 3fi7
did some specially good service on the west coast of Africa, capturing
the Phoco-foo, the Tragus Millas, the Andorimha, the Alert, the
Lotiiza, and other slavers, within a short period.
In 1849, the officer who afterwards hecame Admiral Sir William
Graham gained his first commission owing to the manner in which
he distinguished himself on the occasion of the capture of the armed
slaver Unaio by the boats of the steam-sloop Hydra, 6, Commander
Grey Skipwith, on the south-east coast of America. In December
of the same year, on the west coast of Africa, Commodore Arthur
Fanshawe, C.B., of the Coifaiir, 6, steamer, detached his Captain,
Claude Henry Mason Buckle, in the Teazer, 2, steamer. Lieu-
tenant Jasper Hemy Selwyn, with the French steamer, Buhis, 2,
on a very successful expedition against the black pirates in the
river Seba. Unhappily the affair cost the life of Lieutenant John
Crocket, E.M.A.
In the course of 1851, Co9ioco, a usui-ping king of Lagos, then
one of the chief centres of the slave trade, became troublesome and
intractable. After having peaceably received Mr. Beecroft, British
Consul at Fernando Po, and the British naval officers on the station,
he had refused to promise, on behalf of himself and his subjects, not
to favour the illicit traffic, and had also forbidden the boats of the
men-of-war to proceed up the river to his town. Mr. Beecroft
determined to seek another interview with the king ; and, in order
that Co9ioco should be under no misapprehension concerning the
seriousness and solemnity of the British demands, he arranged that
the armed boats of the squadron should accompanj^ the mission
under a flag of truce. Accordingly, a channel over the bar was
surveyed by the Masters of the Watencitch, 8, Commander Alan
Henry Gardner, and the Bloodhound, iron paddle steamer ; and at
daylight on November 25th, 1851, the Bloodhound, with a white
flag, preceded by Mr. Beecroft in the Harlequin's gig, and followed
by the armed flotilla, started up the river. The boats engaged
were : —
From i'Ai7o7nc7, 8, Commander Thojiias George Forbes (senior officer); whaler, uuder
Com. Forbes; jiintiaco, with 12-pr. carr., under Lieut. George Bell WilliauiB ;
cutter; and second wlialer.
From JIarlequin, 12, Commander Arthur Parry Eardley Wilmot; gij;, with Mr.
Beecroft, under Com. Wilmot; jiinnace, under Lieut. Charles Fentou Fletcher
Boughey ; cutter ; and two whalers.
From Volcano, 5, paddle. Commander IJubert Coole ; whaler, under Com. ( 'ootc ;
paddle-box boat, vmder Lieut. John Milward Jieeve; second paddle-box boat,
under Lieut. Charles ,\ylmcr Pembroke Vallanccy Kobinson ; cutler.
368 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, lS16-lsr)fi.
From Niger, 14, screw, Commander Leopold George Heath ; gig, under Com. Heatli ;
pinnace, mider Lieut. IMontagu Buccleucli Dunn; three cutters; whaleboat.
From Watfrjciich, 8 ; whaler, under Com. Gardner; pinnace, under Lieut. "William
Graham ; cutter ; whaler.
In all, 23 boats, with 2.50 officers, seamen, and Marines.
At tlie har the force was saluted with musketry fire, of which, how-
ever, no notice was taken, the flag of truce being kept flying.
Within a mile and a half of the town, the Bloodhoiuid grounded ;
but the boats kept on in line, until they were fired at from both
guns and uiusketry on shore. At length the boats replied with
shrapnel and solid shot, while the Niger, from below the bar, threw
some shells at the position whence the first fire had proceeded.
For nearly an hour the fire continued ; and then the boats dashed in
simultaneously to an assigned landing-place, where their crews dis-
embarked, and, leaving about ninety officers and men as a guard on
the beach, fought their way into the town. Their progress was
most hotly disputed, especially after they had entered the narrow
streets ; aitd, as the number of natives opposed to them was at least
five thousand, the attackers suffered severely. Forbes fired as many
houses as he could ; and, despairing of being able to accomplish
more, retreated in good order, and re-embarked. That night he
refloated the Bloodhound, and, on the following morning, returned to
the squadron. In this affair, which, though costly and ineffective,
was most bravely conducted, the two Mates of the Niger, John
George Fitzherbert Dyer, and Henry Hyde Hall, were killed, and
ten people were badly wounded, numerous others being hit by spent
balls, etc.^ The Niger took the wounded to Sierra Leone, and
communicated with Commodore Henry William Bruce, who, while
engaged in organising a further expedition, ordered the Harlequin to
remain near Lagos to prevent Coyioco from interfering with the
missionary establishment at Badagry, which he had previouslj-
harried, and which had given shelter to Akitoye, the legitimate
king of Lagos.
Commodore Bruce procured the co-operation of Akitoye, and
nearly five hundred of his followers, who took up a position near
the intended scene of action ; and he intrusted the carrying out of
his plans to Captain Lewis Tobias Jones, of the Sa)nso)i, 6, paddle,
and Captain Henry Lyster, of his own flagship, the Penelope, 16.
paddle. The craft employed in the operations were the Bioodliound,
' Forbes to Bruce; Naut. Mag., 1852, p. 109.
1851.] THE LAGOS EXPEDITION. 365)
the Tcazcr, 3, screw, the Sealark, H, Commander Edward Southwell
Sotheby, and the boats of the Penelope, Samson, Volcano, and
Waterwitch. The BUhhUiouikI was commanded by Lieutenant
Eussell Patey, and the Teaner by Lieutenant Charles Tayler
Leckie ; and the boats were under Commanders Kobert Coote,
Alan Henry Gardner, and Charles Farrel Hilly ar. The resistance
that was met with indicated how hopeless had been the chances of
success upon the occasion of the first attack, and how unwise Com-
modore Bruce, or the officer immediately responsible, had been to
permit a comparatively weak expedition to ascend to the town, even
though it bore a flag of truce at its head.
The squadron arrived at the mouth of the river on December 'iSrd,
1851. On the '24th, Captain Jones landed below the town, and met.
Mr. Beecroft, and Akitoye. The 25th, being Christmas day, was
spent quietly, except that the enemy amused himself by firing at the
ships, which w^ere well out of range. On the 26th, part of the force
moved up the river under a brisk fire ; but, before anything could be
accomplished, both the Bloodhound and the Teazer, each of which
had with her a division of boats, unfortunately grounded. As the
Bloodhound, which was in advance, was greatly imperilled, Lieu-
tenant Thomas Saumarez (2), with the boats of the Samson, and some
Marines under Lieutenant Edward McAi'thur, K.M.A., was despatched
to attempt a landing and to spike the guns which most annoyed the
little steamer. He made a most gallant effort, but, being at length
wounded in three places, and having Midshipman Thomas Eichards
kihed, and 10 of his people badly hit, he was obliged to give the order
to retire. That day little more could be done beyond preventing the
enemy from sending their boats against the stranded Bloodhound.
In the meantime an even more vigorous effort was made to relieve the
Teazer from the fire of the most troublesome of the guns on shore.
A considerable landing force was sent in ; and, although received on
touching the beach with a point-blank discharge from about 1500
muskets, the officers and men pushed steadily on, and captured the
stockade whence the annoyance had proceeded. Captain Lyster
led this attack, niul aniong tlicisc with liiin who more spociallv
distinguished themselves were Liculciiaiit Jolm Corbett, and Assis-
tant Surgeons Michael Walling, and liobert Sproule, M.D. (acting).
Corbett had the hdiidur of spiking the guns.
Scarcely had this success been won ere it was perceived that the
enemy had got round to tlio rear of the aUacking ])arty. and had
VOL. VI. -2, li
370 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
seized a boat, which they were dragging off to place her under cover
•of some still nncaptured guns. There was a slight confusion in re-
enibarking ; and, taking advantage of it, the blacks rushed forth from
the woods on all sides, and poured in a heavy fire at pistol range.
Midshipman F. E. Fletcher, and many men were killed, and more
were wounded. To make matters worse, some stupid or disaffected
Kroomen in the Victuria, a boat belonging to Mr. Beecroft, the
consul, let go her anchor without orders, and brought her up under
the very hottest of the fire. Lyster and Corbett went back to her
to discover what had happened, and the former ordered the cable to
be slipped ; but, as it was a chain-cable, the end of which was
clenched to the boat's bottom, it could not so easily be got rid of.
With the greatest coolness and gallantry, Corbett leant over the
bows, and at length cut the cable with a cold chisel, receiving, how-
ever, as he did so, five new wounds, in addition to one which he
had previously received on shore. Thus the Victoria was saved, and
carried off to the Teazer. Lyster, while leaving her to get into
his own boat, was hit in the back. The fire continued so hot, and
so many of his people had by that time fallen, that he judged it
imprudent then to make further efforts to retake the captured boat ;
but another party, under Mate James Bower Balfour, and Gunner
H. A. Dewar, presently succeeded in putting a rocket into her
magazine and blowing her up. At sunset, after great exertions, the
Teazer was got off and anchored out of gunshot.
This rescue of the Teazer was a most costly affair. Fifteen
officers and men of the squadron were killed or mortally wounded,
including Midshipman F. E. Fletcher, and Master's Assistant
H. M. Gillham, and no fewer than 63 people were wounded, in-
cluding Captain Lyster, Commander Hillyar, Lieutenant Corbett,
and Lieutenant John William Collman AVilliams, E.M. In addition
to the medical officers already mentioned, Surgeon Eichard Carpenter,
;ind Assistant-Surgeon John Barclay, M.D., rendered most valuable
and devoted services to the wounded in very difficult circumstances.
Soon after 7 A.M. on the 27th, the Teazer steamed up towards
the still grounded Bloodhound, accompanied by her flotilla of boats.
Captain Jones, who was in the Bloodlwiind, ordered the boats which
were with her to make a diversion, and indicated to the Teazer the
position in which he desired her to anchor. She anchored there at
8.10 A.M. A general attack on the town was soon afterwards begun,
the rocket boats, under Lieutenant Edward Marshall, making
1851.J NEW niFFICVLTlES WITH BUltMAU. 'Ml
splendid practice, firing' numerous houses, and at length hlowing
up a magazine.
Up to that time Coote's and Gardner's divisions of boats had not
moved to the scene of action. Coote arrived at 10.30 a.m., and
Gardner at 1.4.5 I'.ii. An hour later, Coote, with some gunboats
and a rocket boat, was sent forward to fire a few rounds at Co9ioco's
house ; and then, feeling that the place was as good as in his
possession. Captain Jones sent in to demand a capitulation. It
was Saturday afternoon. The chief was therefore allowed until
Monday morning to think over his position. On the Sunday, how-
ever, Co^ioco abandoned the town and fled to the woods ; and
Akitoye, having come up the river, was formally installed as king
in such biiildings as had escaped destruction. Only a small British
party, under Coote, was that day landed. On Monday, the 29th,
Gardner landed with Coote and a larger party, which embarked or
destroyed fifty-two guns of one kind or another.
Captain Jones, in his dispatch to the Commodore, specially
mentioned Captain Lyster, Commander Hillyar,' Lieutenants Edward
Marshall," Frederick Dampier Eich, John Corbett,^ and Thomas
Saumarez (2) ; Gunner J. Cook, of the Samson ; Boatswain's Mate
Charles Blotield ; George Yule, E.M.A. ; Surgeon Samuel Donnelly ;
Paymaster Thomas Hockings; and Clerk Eobert Henry BuUen,^
than whom " no lieutenant could have done better." *
It may be added that, in 1861, Docemo, a subsequent king of
Lagos, ceded the island and port to Great Britain, receiving in
return a pension of £1000 a year until his death in 1885.
The provisions of the treaty of Yandaboo have already been
summarised in this volume. ° It will be recollected that in that
instrument Burmah engaged, in 1826, to receive a British resident
at the court of Ava. No resident was actually sent until 1830. For
seven years after that date the Burmese Government l)ehaved in
a more or less unsatisfactory manner ; and, on April Kith, 1837,
Tharrawadd}', having seized the crown, repudiated the treaty, and
obliged the resident, who was not properly supported by the Indian
Government, to N\itli(h-;iw, leaving an [issistant in charge. A now
resident was appointed in 1K3H; but be was not received; and, in
1840, the establishment at Ava was broken up, the only British
' Posted, Feb. 20tli, lS5:i. » PayiMastev, Vvh. 20th, 1H52.
" Com., Feb. 20tli, lSr)2. * Briico In Ailuiiralty ; Juiick to Bruce.
' ,See J). 2-10.
2 n 2
872 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 18in-1856.
representative remaining in Burmah being a Bangoon merchant,
who took charge of letters, etc. The long-suffering of the British
emboldened the Bm-mese, who presently began to commit various
tyrannical acts. Two, perpetrated in 1851, brought matters to a
crisis. A master of a British ship was illegally detained at Eangoon
on a wholly baseless charge of having drowned his pilot, and was
obliged to purchase his freedom ; and another master was similarly
detained on a charge of having murdered one of his crew, who
had, in fact, died at sea.^ These masters, naturally and properly
indignant, forced the Indian government to take action ; and
in November, 1851, H.M.S. Fox, 42, screw, Commodore George
Eobert Lambert, Commander John Walter Tarleton, with the
H. E. I. Co.'s steamer Tenasserim, sailed from Calcutta to inquire
into the situation. Ere they anchored off Bangoon on November 25th,
they were joined by H.M.S. Serpent, 12, Commander William
Garnham Luard, and by the H. E. I. Co.'s steamer Proserpine.
Lambert, on his arrival, was informed of numerous additional
acts of oppression which had been committed by the governor of
Bangoon. The Commodore sent to India for additional instructions,
and, in the meantime, demanded the dismissal of the governor, who,
on his part, assembled large forces, and armed a Burmese warship,
the Yathiinah-gce-inJwn,- the property of the king. Outrages con-
tinued in the town ; but on January 1st, 1852, the lung sent a
pacific message to the Commodore, and promised that the governor
should be superseded. During this period the force in the river was
strengthened by the arrival of H.M.S. Hermes, 6, paddle, Commander
Edmund Gardiner Fishbourne, and of the H. E. I. Co.'s steamer
Phlegethon. The Burmese promises were not earned out. Fish-
bourne, who was sent ashore with some oihcers to dehver a
letter, was insulted ; and, it being evident that hostilities were
intended, all British subjects in Bangoon were embarked, all
British merchantmen in the river were towed to positions of safety,
and the Yatliunah-gee-mlion was taken possession of. Interview
followed interview, and threat followed threat. On January 8th,
Lambert was told that he would be attacked if any of his ships
attempted to move down the river ; and on the 'Jth, in consequence,
he sent a number of merchantmen to sea under escort, ordered
' The facts are set forth in ' Becent Oi)erations at Eangoon and Martaban,' by
Rev. T. T. Baker, R.N., H.M.S. Fox (1852).
■ I.e., " precious, sleek, excellent sailing ship."' Baker.
1852.] THE SECOND BURMESE WAR. 373
the I'roserpiiic to Calcutta with dispatches, and declared a blockade
of Kangoon, Bassein, and Martaban.' Below the town was the
Dunnoo stockade. On January 10th, the Fox was towed into
position abreast of it, and a little later the frigate was fired at from
the work. The fire was, of course, returned ; the stockade was
twice silenced ; and several war boats were destroyed. That day
the Hermes also was fired at from another stockade. By the
morning of the 12th, Lambert had withdrawn his force to the
mouth of the river, and despatched the PhlcgetJwn to Martaban.
He received a letter full of fresh promises contingent upon the
restoration of the Yathunah-gee-mhon ; but by that time, as he felt,
the matter had passed out of his hands, and, on the following day, he
himself departed in the Hermes to take counsel with the Indian
government.
Lambert returned on January 26th, having been unsuccessful in
seeing Lord Dalhousie, who was at Simla. In his absence a few
troops had reached Moulmein in the Tenasserim and Proserpine,
which had been sent for them ; and most of the blockading vessels
had been threatened. On January 31st, having received dispatches
from Calcutta by the H. E. I. Co.'s steamer Fire Queen, Lambert
caused that vessel to tow the Fox up towards Eangoon. On the
way the frigate was fired at from a stockade, and one of her people
was wounded. The Fox retaliated, but did not stop, and, late in
the afternoon, anchored off the Hastings shoal below the town.
The Fire Queen, on her way bade, was fired at from more than
one point. The Tenasserim also, proceeding to join the Commodore,
was similarly treated. Lambert then sent Lieutenant William
Spratt (actg.) to the town with a letter enclosing the ultimatum of
the Indian government. Getting no satisfactory reply, Lambert
caused the Tenasserim to tow him back to the river's mouth, \wd
reported to Calcutta what liad happened. On his way down he was
not fired at.
These prehminary movements and negotiations are recounted
chiefly in order to show with how n\w\\ patience both Lambert and
the Indian government behaved in their dealings with authorities
who were everywhere hostile. The Serpent, in the Bassein river,
had been fired at on Januaiy 18th, and had not replied. On
February 4th, on her way to Negrais island, she was again I'wvd
at, off Pagoda Point, In mi a stockade, which Luard thereupon
' Fur a sketcli map nf tlio scvw; of ojieratiiiiiK, .s<r \). 230, iintca.
374 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY. 1816-185C.
destroyed ; and on the oth, the Burmese at Negrais brought upon
their stockade a similar fate. But in no case did the British
commence action, and in no case did they interfere in any way
with private property. At length, on February 20th, the Fire
Queen brought dispatches which intimated that a large military
force would be embarked in the following month for Burmah at
Madras and Calcutta ; that Eangoon, Martaban, and, in certain
eventualities, Bassein, were to be seized and held as bases for the
contemplated operations ; and that, if the Burmese authorities
should not speedily come to reason, their country must be conquered
and annexed to India. ^ Late, but not too late, the Indian govern-
ment adopted a firm and dignified attitude. It afforded, however,
a last chance to the King for saving his position. A subsidiary
dispatch, received by Lambert on February 26th by the H. E. I. Co.'s
steamer Enterprise, while imposing new and more arduous con-
ditions, declared that if these were complied with bj' April 1st,
Burmah would yet be spared. But the enemy continued to con-
centrate troops, and maintained an increasingly provocative attitude.
On April 1st, 1852, therefore, Eear-Admiral Charles John
Austen (1), C.B., Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies, anchored
off the mouth of the Rangoon river, the vessels of the Eoyal Navy
then assembled there being the Battler (temporary flag). Fox,
Hermes, Salamander, Serpent, and a gunboat, in addition to a
number of vessels of the Indian marine. On the following day
arrived a contingent of transports from Bengal, biinging troops
under Lieut. -General Godwin, C.B., military commander-in-chief;
and on April 7th came the contingent from Madras. The total
number of troops, European and Indian, thus collected was 5767,
inclusive of the 18th, 51st, and a battaUon of the 80th British
regiments, with eight guns and eight howitzers.
Without waiting for the junction of the Madras contingent,
Godwin at once despatched the H. E. I. Co.'s steamer Proserpine to
Eangoon to ascertain whether any reply to the ultimatum had been
received from Ava. She was fired at from stockades on both banks
of the stream, and was only extricated by the excellent management
of her commander, Mr. Brooking, who did not retm'n until he had
inflicted serious damage upon his assailants. The military commander-
in-chief promptly took up the Bm-mese challenge. On April 3rd, the
British left the Eangoon river, appearing next day before Martaban,
' Outline in Baker, 30.
1852.] THE tiECOX]! JiVJlMESE WAH. 375
which thfv iittacked on the 5th. The place was held hy 5000 men ;
but in an hour and a half, diu'ing which time it was l)o]uliarded by
the ships, it was stormed by the troops, with a loss of only 50 men
wounded. No one on the side of the attack was killed. H.M. ships
engaged were the BattJcr, Her>iies, and SalaiiKuuIer. After the
place bad been garrisoned, the expedition returned to the Rangoon
river,' where, in the interim. Commodore Lambert, with H.M.S.
Fox and Serpent, and the H. E. I. Co.'s steamers Tenasserini and
Phlegefhon, had been equally active. He had proceeded up the
river on April 4th, and on the 5th, detailing the Serpent and
Phlegetlwn, under Commander Luard, to attack the Da Sylva
stockade, had devoted his own attention to two other works near
Dunnoo. By the evening all three had been homl)arded, and
destroyed by landing parties of seamen iind Marines, which were
re-embarked without casualty. -
The general combined advance on Eangoon began on Saturday,
April 10th, all the ships, by the evening of that day, being anchored
below the Hastings shoal. On the following morning, the shoal was
crossed ; and fire was at once opened on the H. E. I. Co.'s steamers
Feroze, Mozuffer, and Sefiusfris, which took up positions between
series of stockades on each bank. They replied briskly, and, in
about an hour, blew up the magazine of a work which mounted
nine 18-prs., with the result of permanently silencing those guns.
Ere that time the Fox also had both broadsides engaged ; and her
boats presentlj' landed some seamen and iNIarines, and a company of
the 18th Regiment. This party, covered by the frigate, galhuitly
stonned two stockades at Dalla, opposite liangoon, and carried them
with a loss of only one man wounded. The Serpent and I'ltlegcthoii
then passed the captured works, and anchored above Kcniinendine,
to deal with the war-boats there assembled, and to prevent fire-
rafts from being sent down stream''; while parties from the For
and Ihtttler stormed, cai-iicd, and liurnt a third stockade on the
Dalla side.
Early on Ajuil i'Jtli, tlu; ti'oops were landed near Kungoini,'
witlinul iip|i()sition JVoni the cncniy : and the 1 )agon I'agoda battery
' Godwin's ilisp. of April Otli.
' Lambert to Austen, Ajiril Olb.
•'' In executing thin service the Serpent, in an encounter uitli a strong stockade,
liad Asst.-Surgeon Chas. Sproull, and 7 men woun<led.
* 'I'lie city of that day was a mile and a qiiailor fniin tlic livcr, I ho city nf tlii.^
previous war liaving licon destroyed.
376 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ItOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
was shelled occasionally. Late in the day a magazine in it blew up.
As the troops advanced they were attacked from the jungle, and
suffered much loss ere they carried the White House stockade. On
the 13th, desultorj'_ shelling of the town and stockades was con-
tinued, and several fires broke out in consequence ; but the storming
of the town had to be postponed, owing to the heavy guns not
having reached the army ; and, amid terrible heat, Godwin held his
position until the morning of the 14th.
At 5 A.M. the whole force was put iu motion. The guns were
dragged into position by about 120 seamen, under Lieutenant John
William Dorville, of the Fox, in spite of a heavy fire from the Great
Pagoda, and the pieces on the city walls; and, at 11 a.m., after
the eastern entrance of the Pagoda had been steadily battered, a
storming party under Lieut. -Colonel Coote carried the position,
the fugitives from which, as they fled by the southern and western
gates, were mowed down by the guns of the ships. The success was *
complete, Rangoon falling, and the works at Kemmendine being
abandoned and destroyed. Nor was it very costly ; for the aiTny lost
only 17 killed and 132 woiinded. As for the Navy, it suffered very
little from the fire of the enemy, though it was terribly scourged
by cholera. Among the officers specially mentioned in the dispatches
were Commanders Fishbourue, and Luard, Lieutenants George
William Eice, and Dorville, Chaplain Thomas Turner Baker, who
died of cholera, Surgeon John Moolenburgh Minter, and Assistant-
Surgeon Thomas Seccombe.'
On the foUo'^'ing day, April 1.5th, a determined attack was made
by the enemy upon the little garrison at Martaban, but was easily
repelled. Another attack was made on ^lay 26th, when the boats
of the Feroze rendered good service in driving back the foe. A less
formidable attempt upon the post was made two nights later.- The
enemy did not, upon the whole, fight as weU as in the campaign of
1826. In fact, there appears to have been a strong Burmese party
which was quite ready to accept a British annexation of their
country as the price of liberation from tyranny and evil government.
On May 17th General Godwin and Commodore Lambert, with
a force which included the Eoyal Marines, and some seamen of the
Fox, embarked at Rangoon in the Teiiasserim, Sesostris, and Mozuffer,
and proceeded to the entrance of the Bassein river, where they were
' Austen to Dalhousie, April IGtli; and disps. of Godwin. Baker, 61-78.
* ' Madras Art. Records,' Aug. 1852.
l«o2.] THE SECOND BUBMESE WAI!. 377
joined by the Pliitu. On the iikb they ascended the river, and, in
the afternoon, anchored abreast of the town of the same name. On
both sides of the stream there were large stockades ; but a strong
party was at once landed, the pagoda was earned, and a mnd fort,
in which the Burmese defended themselves with obstinacy, was
attacked. It was at length stormed by a detachment, mainly
military, which was accompanied liy Lieutenant George William
Eice, E.N. The chief stockade on the opposite side of the river was
then carried by a party under Commander C. D. Campbell, I.N.,
after a hot struggle. Among the wounded were Lieutenant Eice,
and Lieutenant John Elliott, E.M. The total British loss in the
operations at Bassein was 3 killed and 31 wounded.
It was determined next to attack Pegu ; and with that object,
Commander Tarleton, with the Pldegethon, her boats, and those of
the Fox, conveying 230 troops, left Eangoon on June 3rd, and
moved up the river, accompanied on the banks by a small con-
tingent of friendly natives. On the 4th, as the expedition advanced,
it was greeted with musketry fire from the Pegu side, whereupon
Tarleton landed with the Fox's people, and, Ijeing joined by Com-
mander G. T. Niblett, I.N., with men from the Phlegethon, obliged
the enemy to retire from point to point. When, however, he was
returning to his boats, he was galled by a smart fire from gingals
and muskets ; and, as he was loath to leave the Burmese in the
belief that he was retreating, he oljtained the services of a guide,
led his people over a causeway which crossed the ditch, entered the
city of Pegu, and forced the enemy to take refuge in the pagoda.
\Miile he was thus employed. Mate Henry Eobert Douglas M'Murdo,
who had been left in charge of the boats, was attacked, but. succoured
by the troops, succeeded in getting all his craft to the other side of
the river. The whole expedition was resting, in preparation for a
further advance, when the Burmese from the pagoda moved out in
force as if to assault. Making no longer delay, the British rushed at
them, and carried the pagoda without further casualty. The day's
work was accomplished with a loss of but 1 killed and 3 wounded.
As soon as the defensive works had been destroyed, the expedition
returned to Eangoon.
By that time certain military critics on the spot had begun to
look askance on these raids into the enemy's country, beheving, as
they did, that such movements prevented the Burmese from concen-
trating their forces, and so tended to dcjirive the army of an oppor-
378 militahy history of the royal navy, isie-isse.
tniiity, when it should he reach' to do so, of striking a crushing and
decisive hlow. Commodore Lambert, however, seems to have con-
sidered that, mider guise of making a recomiaissance along the
Irawadi, the naval force might still find opportunities of doing
useful service. He therefore ordered Commander Tarleton to take
under his orders the Medusa, Proserpine, Phlegefhon, Pluto, and
Mahanuddy, and to ascertain the numbers and position of the
enemy up the river. The flotilla proceeded on July 6th. At
Konnoughee, twenty-five miles below Prome, it fired at an armed \
party on the banks, and was heavily fired at in return, two people j,'
being wounded. On the night of the 7th the command anchored off u
Meaoung. •,
Early on the following morning it weighed again, and moved on 1
until within sight of a strongly fortified position near Akouktoung,
which was held by about ten thousand Burmese under Bundoola, in
order to block the approach to Prome and the capital. Tarleton was
then entering what was known as the left or western channel of
the river, the channel which alone is usually navigable except at the
rainy season ; but, discovering from his native pilots that the eastern
or shallower channel was then possible, he turned off as soon as >
the enemy fired at him, and was delighted to find that he had two *
fathoms of water where he had expected to get little more than as
many feet. There he despatched ahead the Proserpine, instructing :^-
Commander Brooking, I.N., to do his best to overtake a small r-'
Burmese steamer' which, he heard, had passed up only the day .V
before ; and, upon surveying his position, he realised that the entire ,
Burmese anny, concentrated in the place which he had turned, was '^
in his rear, and that nothing lay between him and Prome. The '»i
temptation was too great to be resisted. He pushed on, and by =
dayhght on July 9th was off the city. f.
There being no troops in the place, Tarleton disabled and sank ^
the iron guns belonging to the works, and embarked the brass ones. w
In the afternoon the Medusa reconnoitred ten miles further up ; and /
it became practically certain that there were no obstacles of any
sort between the expedition and the capital, Ava, which could have
been reached within four days. Being, however, without orders to
capture the metropoUs, and, perhaps, being influenced by the talk of
the military critics already alluded to, Tarleton contented himself ^
with remaining for twenty-four hom's at Prome, and then returning. ^
' She was not caug;lit.
1852.] THE SECOND JiUJiMESE WAR. 379
As he re-eiitered the main stream, liuiidoola was observed to be
in motion, as if intending to follow the steamers. The British
opened fire on the Burmese troops and boats, between forty and fifty
of the latter being taken or destro_yed, and several valuable trophies
captured. After nine days' absence, the flotilla rejoined without
further adventure. Its casualties were insignificant. Lieutenant
John Elliott, E.M., was wounded severely, and two other people,
including Assistant Surgeon Frederick Morgan, were slightly hit.
In August and September reinforcements and fresh supplies were
sent from India with a view to preparing for the general advance of
what was styled the Army of Ava. In the interim, the Zenohia,
and the schooner Pegu did some useful work above Martaban by dis-
persing a body of Burmese at Ketturhee, and destroying a stockade
and village.^ The operations were completed on September 2nd.
A few days earher, Commander Charles Frederick Alexander
Shadwell, of the Sphinx, had gone up in the Nemesis to relieve
Commander Tarleton,- who had previously been senior naval officer
in the Irawadi ; and a few days later, the Hastings, 72, bearing
Rear-Admiral Austen's flag, was towed by the Rattler to the
Hastings shoal, and anchored off llangoon.^
Towards the end of September, previous to which the Eear-
Admiral had made a personal reconnaissance up the Irawadi in
the Pluto, the forward movement began. Several of the steamers
grounded, and there was much delay. On October 7th, off the
island of Shouk Shay Khune, there occurred another misfortune, in
the death of Rear-Admiral Austen,* who, still in the Pluto, had been
taken ill on the night of the 5th, and w bo, being seventy-three years
of age, had not sufficient strength to resist the attack.
From that island, which is not more than ten miles below i'rome,
the flotilla started again at daybreak on October 9th. Commodore
George Robert Lambert, wlm bad succeeded to the chief conniuind,
had his broad pennant in the Fire Queen ; and the other vessels of
war employed, all belonging to the H.E.I. Co., were the Enterprise,
Mahanuddij, Sesostris, Medusa, Nemesis, Proserjjine, and Phlegetlioii,
accompanied by boats of H.M. ships Winchester, Hastings, Fo.r, and
Sphinx, undci' Captain George Granville Loch, f'.B., Conuuandcrs
' Moulmcin Times.
2 Posted Sept. 27tli, IHo'.'.
° Laiirie, I'f;/'i, .'il. Slio left a^ain lor Madras on (let. liHtli.
* His body was idliniately sent lioiiie in the I'litllrr.
380 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Charles Frederick Alexander Shadwell, and Edward Bridges Eice,
and Lieutenants George AVilliam Eice, Henry Shank Hillyar,
Eichard Bulkeley Pearse, Charles Dojde Buckley Kennedy, AVilliani
Brace Mason, and WiUiani Henry Edye.
As soon as the vessels neared the city, the enemy opened fire
npon them from a couple of guns, supported by musketry. Eeturning
the fire, the steamers anchored ; and some of the boats, under Captain
Loch, were sent closer in, to clear the banks with shell and canister.
A native smi, which was brought into action abreast of the Fire
Queen, was dismounted when it had fired but one shot ; and, soon
afterwards, some of the troops were landed without difficulty, the
rest being put ashore on the next morning, when, vdth a detachment
of seamen and two •24-pr. howitzers under Commander Edward
Biidges Eice, they easily captured the city. In the squadron, but
four people were wounded, two of them being natives of India The
army's loss was almost equally trifling.^
At about that time a vahiable reinforcement of light river
steamers belonging to the H.E.I. Co. reached the scene of opera-
tions. Of these, one, the Lord William Bentinck, was sent on a
reconnaissance to Pegu, and the others the Nerhudda and Damooda,
carried up additional troops to Prome. Soon afterwards. Bundoola,
having been ordered to report himself in disgrace at Ava, preferred
to take his chances as a prisoner with the British, and, upon
surrendering himself, was put on board the Sesostris, which was
acting as depot and guardship off Prome. Before any further move-
ment of importance was attempted, Commander Shadwell, and the
military post at Shouk Shay Khune, assisted by native allies, beat
oif a Burmese attack with great spirit ; and other small bodies of
the enemy were defeated at a place called the White Pagoda, at
Akouktoung, and at a stockade opposite Prome. ^
Pegu, after its captiu'e in Jmie, had been evacuated, as General
Godwin did not consider that he had strength enough wherewith
to hold it at that time. The next move was one for its recapture ;
and by the middle of Novemljer, a force was ready to proceed thither.
■' Lambert to Govt, of India, Oct. 11th; Godwin to the same, Oct. 12th, 1852;
Laurie, 77 ef seg.
^ At the White Pa£;oda, near Prome, on Nov. 1st, Capt. Loch, Com. Frederick
Beauchamp Paget Seymour, and Lieuts. Henry Shanlv Hillyar, and Richard Bulkeley
Pearse led the naval brigade. One man was wounded. At Akouktoung, on Nov. -Ith,
the same officers were present. Opposite Prome, on Nov. 11th, when Loch again
commanded, the enemy abandoned their strong work at the first sign of attack.
1S52.] TEE SECOND BUBMESE WAR. 381
This quitted Rangoon on the 19th in the Mahanuddij, Ncrhudda,
Damooda, and Lord William Bentinck, the army being under
Brigadier Malcohu M'Neil, the naval arrangements being under
Commander Shadwell, and the General himself accompanying the
expedition. The neighbourhood of Pegu was reached on the evening
of the 20th, and, upon the city being reconnoitred, it was found to
be held by about four thousand men, with a stockade in their front.
On the follo-ning morning, under fire from the steamers and boats,
a landing was effected. Commander Rowley Lambert, of the Fox,
superintending the operation so far as the guns were concerned, and
Commander Frederick Beauchamp Paget SejTnour, as a volunteer,
placing himself at the disposal of the General. In the advance, the
troops had to encounter a smart fire ; but, having refreshed under
cover of a wood, they presently charged across the moat, and drove
the defenders into the pagoda, whence they were driven further with
but slight resistance. The army lost in this affair 6 killed and 31
wounded ; the Navy happily escaped without casualty. Besides the
officers already mentioned. Lieutenants William Brace Mason, and
John Hawley Glover, Mate Charles Ashwell Boteler Pocock, and
Assistant Surgeon John Felix Johnson, besides several of the
H.E.I. Co.'s naval officers, distinguished themselves.^ A garrison
of 430 men was left at Pegu, and the rest of the expedition returned
to Rangoon.
Scarcely had the General departed ere Pegu began to suffer
serious annoyance from the enemy, who, early in December, in-
vested it more or less closely, and cut up a convoy of supplies
which had been sent thither. On the 8th, therefore. Commodore
Lambert despatched from Rangoon seven boats from the Sphinx,
Fox, and Mo.zuffer, under Commander Shadwell, with, in all, 133
officers and men, to endeavour to open communications with Major
Hill, who commanded the beleaguered garrison. On the 9th, news
of a somewhat more serious nature arrived at Rangoon, and decided
General Godwin to forward in addition 200 European troops in
the Nerbudda, with some armed boats under Commander Rowley
Lambert. In the meantime, Shadwell, on approaching Pegu on
December 10th, was met with a very heavy fire, and obliged to
retreat, having lost in a short time 4 men killed, and 28 j)eople
wounded, iiicliKhiig Mate Charles Ashwell Boteler Pocock, and
Midshipman Ivlgar Cookson. Returning, Shadwell met the
' Laurie, 100, 4(i(;.
382 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Nerbudda ; and, not knowing what force of Bm-mese might be
at Pegu, he brought her back with him to Rangoon. Godwin at
once determined to go himself to the threatened point ; and before
10 P.M. on the 11th, Captain Tarleton, with 1050 troops in boats
of the Fox, Sphinx, Mozuffer, Berenice, and Fire Queen, started for
Pegu, being followed next morning by the Mahanuddy and Nerbudda,
with Godwin and 400 additional Europeans. Among the naval
officers with the expedition were Commanders Lambert, and Shad-
well, and Lieutenant William Brace Mason.
On the morning of December 18th, Godwin having in the
meanwhile caught up Tarleton, a landing of part of the force was
effected five miles below Pegu, and half a mile from the first
stockade, and the rest of the troops were put ashore early on the
14th, an advance following immediately, and being accompanied
by Shadwell, with two boat guns and 7.5 men to drag them. Later
in the day, when the enemy threatened some straggling camp
followers on the river bank, Tarleton landed his whole available
force, and drove off the foe. He was also obliged to put the
Nerbudda ashore to repair damages caused by her having grounded
on a stake. His position, in short, was an anxious one, until, at
2 P.M., he learnt of the success of the advanced force. The Navy
had one man mortally wounded.^
General Godwin followed up the enemy, but without displaying
great activity or persistence. By proclamation of December 80th,
18-52, the province of Pegu was annexed to the Empire, and any
immediate intention of effecting further conquests in Burmah was
formally abandoned. The annexation was made public at Eangoon
on January 20 th.
It remained to expel from the new province such Burmese forces
as were still in arms there. Much of that work was done by the
land forces alone, but the Navy co-operated on several occasions.
With the Martaban expedition, for example, which set out from
iiangoon on January 4th, 1853, went Commodore George Eobert
Lambert, with his broad pennant in the Sphinx. A more exclusivelj-
naval adventure was undertaken by Shadwell, with the object of
settUng scores with a robber chieftain who oppressed the inhabitants
of a district south of Bassein and westward of Eangoon ; but this
force, which was absent from Eangoon from December 24th, 1852,
to the morning of January 1st, 1853, saw no fighting.
' Godwin of Dec. lutli : Tarleton of Dec. 16th ; Lambert of Dec. 18th.
1853.] DEATH <iF GRANVILLE LOCH. 383
Unfortunately, although the war was over, one of these sub-
sequent expeditions ended in a most regrettable disaster, in which
the naval service suffered severely. In the neighbourhood of
JDonnabew was a notorious robber named Nya Myat Toon, against
whom it became advisable to adopt stem measures. His stronghold
lay about twenty-five miles from Eangoon. At the beginning of
February, 1853, Captain George Granville Loch, C.B., with 2.5
naval oliicers, 185 seamen, and 6'2 Marines,^ and Major Minchin,
with 300 of the 67th Bengal Native Infantry, accompanied by two
3-prs. from the Phlegethon, were despatched from Eangoon against
the freebooter, and landed near Donnabew on the '2nd.
On the 3rd the force marched along a jungle path, and encamped
for the night in a deserted valley, where it was occasionally dis-
tui'bed by distant shots. On the morning of February 4th, it
proceeded about five miles further along the path, which terminated
abruptly at a broad nullah, the lofty opposite side of which was
entrenched and fortified. Suddenly, ere the people, who had been
marching two or three abreast, could deploy, or bring up the guns
which were in the rear, a most murderous fire was opened by the
concealed enemy. Lieutenant Charles Doyle Buckley Kennedy, of
the Fox, was among the first to be shot down. The gallant Loch
led his men to the attack, and made two unsuccessful efforts to
cross the nullah and storm the work. Heading a third attempt, he
was mortally hit. Lieutenant Ixowley Lambert, son of the Com-
modore, then assumed command, and led two more hopeless rushes,
receiving four balls through his clothes, yet remaining unhurt. It
quickly became apparent that the force must either retreat or be
annihilated ; and a retreat, therefore, was ordered along the narrow
path by which the advance had been made. Most of the bearers
and guides had fled, the dead could not l)e moved, the gims had to
be spiked and abandoned ; and, followed by an unrelenting fire, the
party, its rear manfully covered by the grenadier company of the
67th, drew off as best it could, dragging with it its many wounded,
ami (iiiliiig under a broiling sun without water. It did not rcarb
])onnabew, and the Plilcfjctliv)i, until twelve hours had elapsed.
Loch died on the 6th.- The Navy lost in all 7 killed and 52
wounded, and the troops, 5 killed and 18 wounded. Among the
officers wounded wvrv. Tjicutenant James Henry Busbiicll, and
' From tlie Fox, Winchcsler, and Spliiiu:
'^ Loch waH boni in li^l.'!, ami waK a (_'ai)l. of Aug. 'Jiltli, l.sll.
384 MILITATIY HISTORY OF TJIE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Mates Hugh Alan Hinde, and William Charles Fahie Wilson, of
the Winchester, and Lieutenant John Hawley Glover, of the Sjjhinx.
Lieutenant Horatio Nelson, of the Winchester, was mentioned by
Lambert among the officers and men who were of special assistance
in most trying circumstances.^
The catastrophe was due to overweening confidence, and con-
tempt for a desj)erate enem}', resulting in neglect of proper pre-
cautions.- In the breaking up of Nya Myat Toon's followers, a
work which was afterwards accomplished by Brigadier-General Sir
John Cheape, the Navy had little share, although Captain Tarleton,
with a small party, was present with the expedition.
The war ended without the conclusion of the usual treaty of
peace between the nations which had been engaged ; and not until
1862 were ordinary relations resumed between the courts of Ava and
London.
The honours granted to the Navy for its services dunng the
arduous campaign were few, and were delayed. On December 5th,
1853, Commodore George Eobert Lambert was made a K.C.B., and
Captains John Walter Tarleton, and Charles Frederick Alexander
Shadwell ^ were given the C .B . Eowley Lambert had been deservedly
made a Commander on February 7th, 1853. On February 25th,
Lieutenants John William Dorville, Henry Shank Hillyar, and
George William Kice (who died on March 18th following) ; Mates
Hugh Alan Hinde, and Charles Ashwell Boteler Pocock ; Second
Master Eichard Sturgess ; and Assistant Surgeons Thomas Sec-
combe, Henry Slade and John Fehx Johnson, had also received
promotion.^
It has not been possible, in the course of this narrative, to devote
much space to the work done during the war by the officers and
men of the Indian Navy ; but it should be added here that they
rendered the most valuable services, and always willingly and loyally
co-operated with the Eoyal Navy.
In these years there were almost innumerable actions between
H.M. ships and Chinese pirates. The conflicts were generally verj-
1 Lam-ie, 226, and Disps. : Friend of India, Feb. 24th, 1853.
' Gen. Godwin later ordered that, in all combined naval and military e.\peditions,
the senior military ofiicer should have command, no matter the ranlc of the senior
naval officer present. The questions thus raised were not full}' decided until many
years afterwards.
■'' Posted Feb. 7th, 1853.
■* Oazette, Feb. 2Stli.
it
i
1853.] THE "RATTLER" AT XAMQUAN. 385
bloody, at least ou one side ; lor the pirates knew full well that, if
captured alive and handed over to the Chinese authorities, they
could expect no mercy, and nii^'ht look forward to torture as well as
to death. Several of the conflicts, moreover, cost the loss of valuable
lives on the British side.
One of the most important occurred otf Xaniquan (.lat. '27 15';
long. 120= 20') in 1853.
On May 5th of that year, Commander Arthur Mellersh, of the
Battler, (i, screw, who was then at Amoj', was informed that a fleet
of pirates was at anchor near Namquan, and had not only captured
a valuable convoy of junks, but also fired at and driven oft' the
British schooner Spec, which bad formed the escort. ^Nlellersh at
once coaled, and proceeded on the following morning to the mouth
of the Eiver Min. Bad weather prevented him from gaining further
information before the 10th, when Second-Master Alfred 0. West
reconnoitred in a cutter, picked up the Spi\:, and ascertained that
the pirates were still at Namquan, waiting for their prizes to be
ransomed. On the 11th, under cover of a fog, which lifted as she
approached, the Rattler suddenly steamed right into the enemy's
fleet. The Chinese cut their cables in panic ; but, finding that the
set of the tide prevented them from escaping from the harbour, they
prepared for close action, and, as soon as the sloop fired a gun,
opened their broadsides upon her. There were seven junks and
a lorcha, No. 19 ; and they pluckily bore up with intent to board.
A shell from the Battler's 8-in. gun, fired by Lieutenant George
Adolphus Pidcock, blew up the pirate admiral, also sinking a craft
alongside of him ; whereupon all the other vessels, except the
lorcha, ran for the shore and beached themselves. The lorcha
ceased firing, and impudently hoisted Portuguese and French
colours.
Most of the fugitives who gained the shore were promptly
slaughtered by the waiting villagers. The Battler's boats were then
lowered under Commander John William Dorville,' Second-Master
West, and Mates Kobert Elliot and James Willcox, to take posses-
sion of the abandoned vessels ; the cuttei-, however, under Lieutenant
' l)(irvilif, will) liail lu'eviuiisly buuii liiiil JLiriileiiiiiit ut' the RatlUi; hail been
proiiioteil on tlie previous Veh. 25tli, but was still doing duty in the sloop. lie was'
the author of an interesting book, 'Cruising in Many Waters.' Ho retired, as a
captain, in 18G7, and died in 1H'.)-1 a retired admiral. Some of his earlier services are
recorded in the Eiiviid of China, Mar. ">th, lH."i,'!.
VOL. VI. 2 C!
386 MILITAHY IllSTOSY OF THE TtOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Pidcock, dashing off in separate pursuit of a body of pirates who,
having seized a peaceful junk and murdered her crew, were pushing
up the river in her and another craft in order to escape. Unhappily,
when he got up with the enemy and boarded, his small force was
ovei^jowered, he and two ruen being killed, and the rest of his crew
driven off. Assisted by the country people, the surxavors at length
regained the Battler, and told their tale. Doi'V'ille, West, and
Willcox instantly started in search of the junks in the river, but had
to return owing to the darkness ; nor was a further search, made on
the following morning, any more successful. From one of the burnt
junks one hundred and seventy pounds of silver were recovered.
Four of the other junks were taken to Foochow, and the lorcha was
handed over to the Portuguese at Macao. This affray cost the
British an officer and two men killed, and seven people wounded.
On the other hand, it cost the pirates the loss of eight vessels, no
fewer than 84 guns,^ and probably -500 lives. Willcox was deservedly
made a Lieutenant on January 19th, 1854.
It was in the same year that the British Navy first came into
intimate contact with the Ti-ping rebels, in whose repression it later
took an active share. On March 19th, 1853, after a siege of eleven
days only, the Ti-pings captured Kankin, the ancient capital of
China, and thereby placed themselves in a position of such political
importance as to induce Sir George Bonham, H.M. Plenipotentiary,
to visit Nankin in order to ascertain the natiire, principles, and
objects of the victorious revolutionists. Accordingly, he embarked
in the paddle sloop Hermes, 6, Commander Edmund Gardiner
Fishbourne, and, after having been fired at in error by some Ti-ping
forts at Chinkiangfoo, reached Nankin at the end of April, had
friendly commuuicat/ions with the rebel leaders, and arranged that
Great Britain should preserve a neutral attitude with regard to
China's internal commotions.- <*
As early as 1854, however, the Navy came into hostile collision,
if not with the Ti-pings themselves, at least with the troops
opposed to them. An ambitious "house boy" named Aling,
employed In' one of the foreign merchants at Shanghai, raised
a force, proclaimed himself general, and, allying himself with
the rebels, seized the walled Chinese city of Shanghai which
lies alongside of the foreign settlement on the Yangtsekiang,
' Friend of China, and disps., which Dorville brought home.
- Fishbourne : ' Impressions of China.'
*•
1854.] (yCALLAGHAy AT SHANGHAI. 387
but oil ibe Dther side ol' the Yangkingpang creek. In rear
of the foreign settlement was a race-course ; in rear of the walled
city were forts hrld hy iniiu'rial troops who had heen sent to
oppose .-Uing ; and between the I'orts and the race-course were rice-
marshes, swamps and alluvial ground. The imperial troops got out
of hand, and some of them assaulted an English gentleman and
lady on the i-ace-course on April 8rd. The braves were, however,
dispersed by some unarmed British and American seamen who
happened to be ashore on liberty. This exasperated the troops, who,
it was rumoured, intended, by way 9f revenge, to loot and burn tiie
foreign settlement in the course of the following night ; where-
upon the merchants ashore asked for assistance, and the war-
ships in harbom-, H.M.S. Encounter, 14, screw. Captain George
Wilham Douglas O'Callaghan, and Grecian, 12, Commander the Hon .
George Disney Keane, with the U.S. corvette Plymouth, Captain
John Kelly, landed a party which quickly mastered the small fort
lying nearest to the settlement, and killed, wounded, or captured a
number of Chinamen. The Captains then ordered the imperial
troops to evacuate the remaining forts by 3 p.m. on April 4th. It
was felt that the enemy would not willingly comply ; and prepara-
tions were made for compelling him to do so, it being arranged
that Kelly, in virtue of his seniority, should command the attacking
force of seamen, marines, and volunteers from among the foreign
residents. Before the hour at which the ultimatum was to expire,
the force, with guns, was ready in position before the forts. At 3
precisely, as the Chinese had not budged, the word was given, and
a 12-pr. shrapnel shell was fired at the nearest work. The enemy
made little stand, most of them fleeing at once. After sending in
one more shell, the attackers charged. The imperialists succeeded
in firing only one of their heavj' guns ; but that one killcil lliree
people and wounded several, while the storming party was tempor-
arily checked at the ditch. Lieutenant Koderick Dew,' however,
quickly pulkid down a baniljoo liouse, bridged tlie chasm at the rear
of the works, and led the way across. This decided the matter.
Upwards of 800 Cliiiianicn were killed : the position was occupied ;
and on the following day a body of coolies destroyed the whole of
the forts.'- On this occasion there was very coi-dial good-feeling ami
co-operation between the British and United States navies. The
' Prom, fill- tliis service, June 16tli, inr)!. He was slightly woiindeil.
* Disjis. : l!.-.\a. BcaiilKlce, I'.S.N., in Jlarper'n Mafi.
C
•)
388 MILITARY niSTOnr OF THE HOYAI. NAVY. 1816-lSof;.
pleasant nature of the comradeship, which was destined to become
still more pronounced, especially in Chinese waters, may be gathered
from the fact that, a seaman of the JS/icoww^e;- having lost his arm
during the firing of a salute on July 4th, 1854, the anniversary of
American Independence, the officers and men of the U.S.S. Suaquc-
Juituia and V<ind<ilia spontaneously subscribed for liiiu the large
sum of £283.'
It would be almost impossible to find space, in a work like the
present, for accounts of all the affairs, small and great, which took
place between Her INIajesty's ships and pirates or slavers in the
period under review. In spite of the distractions caused by the
war with Russia, the Navy was as active as ever in 1854-56 in
striving for the repression of these freebooters.
In November, 1854, the boats of the Winchester, 50, Captain
Tliomas Wilson (2), (flag of Hear- Admiral Sir James Stirling), Eii-
connter, 14, screw, Captain George AVilliam Douglas 0"Callaghan,
and Spartan, '16, Captain Sir William Legge George Hoste, Bart.,
were repeated!}' thus engaged in the Macao River. On the ind of
that month, the boats of the Winchester and Spartan destroyed
some junks in Tymmoon Bay; on the following day the ])oats of
all three vessels were similarly employed off Tyloo ; and, nn the
13th of the month, parties from the same ships, and from the Barra-
coiita, 6, paddle. Captain George Parker ('2), and Stijx, (i, paddle.
Commander Frederick Woollcombe, carried a battery, and destroyed
more junks in Coulan Bay.
On Jitne 25th, 1855, the Bacehorse, 14, Commander Edward
King Barnard, while working up the coast between Amoy and
Foochow, discovered and chased a piratical flotilla. On the
following morning, one of the junks, moimting 6 guns, was boarded
by the sloop's cutter, and burnt. In the afternoon other junks
were engaged by the boats, one being burnt and another taken.
A captiu-ed lorcha also was retaken, and towed to Amoy. The
Bacehorse then went again in search of the pirates ; and on July
4th, made prize of a junk without mitch resistance, and later sent
all her boats in chase of a much larger one. In the chase, the
sloop's gig drew ahead, and pulled gallantly alongside. She was
then overwhelmed with a shower of stink-pots, some of which blew
up the ammitnitiou in her. All her people were hurled into the
water ; but they were picked up hy the cutter, seven out of the
' Boston Post, Nov. -tth, 1854.
1855.] AFFAinS WITH CHINESE PIRATES. 389
nine, liowo.vei', being badly wf)und('il. While the pirates were
rejoicing at their temporary success, the stern of their vessel was
nearly blown ont by the bow gun in the pinnace, which had got
up in the confusion unobserved. This junk w^as run ashore by her
people to prevent her from sinking, and was then captured and
])ni'nt. Very many pii-ates were killed or drowned, and most of
the survivors were taken prisoners either by the victors or by the
villagers on shore. Of the HarcJiorse's people, two of the un-
fortunate ci-ew of the gig subsequenth' died of their injuries.
In some of these operations for the repression of piracy tiiere
was further active and cordial co-operation between the British and
the American forces on the China station. On May 28th, 18.5"), the
boats of the Baffler, 11, screw, Commander William Ahdy Fellowes,
had destro3'ed some piratical junks at Saiuchow ; but the lesson
was lost on the Chinese ; and, late in July, a lorcha and three
trading junks, though under convoy of an armed steamer called the
Eaglet, were cut off, and carried into a fortified bay near Conlan.
Commander Fellowes, being appealed to, and having reconnoitred
the place, went to Hong Kong, and invited the assistance of the
U.S. steam frigate Powhatan. This was gladl)* granted ; and, on
August ;-?rd, the Rattler, with three boats from the Powhatan under
Lieutenants Pegram and Kolando, U.S.N., and with the Eaglet in
company, left the harbour. Early on the 4th the expedition
steamed into the bay in w'hich the pirates had taken I'efuge. A
lorcha, which had lain at anchor high up, got under way as if to
escape, and was chased l)y the Battler's pinnace, having on board
Lieutenants Charles Joseph Wrey, and Thomas Harpur Greer, and
Mate George Gordon Lomax, and bj' the Powhatan' n cutter. The
boats had, unfortunately, got beyond recall, when the main body of
the pirate flotilla, numbering, with prizes, 36 sail, was observed
at anchor further up the passage whence the lorcha had started.
The Chinese did not move until the Eaglet had begun to fire
rockets and her 32-pr., and until the remaining boats of the
expedition i-ounded a point and showed themselves. The pirates
then weighed in a hurry and made off in a mass, yawing to fire,
but being badly mauled by the boats' howitzers. The American
laiuiches, in which were a miinber of British ]\rarines, ])i-eseiitly
overtook two of the rearmost and largest of the Junius, and carried
them, after a hard struggle, by boarding. Other junks were also
carried. Boatswain James, of the liafllrr, in that shii)'s whaleboat,
390 MlLJTAllY HISTOHY OF THE HOYAL XAfy. 1S16-1856.
with five seamen and a few Marines, specially distinguishing him-
self, and all the boats behaving most gallantly. Fellowes himself
managed to secure the flag of the pirate leader, who was shot by
a British Marine.
Up to that time there had been no loss worth mentioning. But
when the Baffler's first cutter, under Paymaster Eichard Brownsdon,
upon rimning alongside a large jmik, received a number of stink-
pots, her crew, to escape the fumes, had to jiunp overboard. Two
of the people were speared while in the water, and a third was
drowned. Another jimk blew up after she had been taken, and all
on board her, including Fellowes and Kolaudo, were thrown into
the water, three of her captors being killed outright. All the
larger junks were secui-ed ; but, owing partly to the time taken in
securing them, and partly to the absence of the pinnace and cutter
in pursuit of the lorcha, sixteen of the smaller ones got awa}-. Ten
junks, one having, with other guns, a 68-pr., and four others having
32, 24, and 12-prs. were destroj'ed. Two lorchas and seven junks
that had been captured by the pirates were retaken : but two of
these could not be brought away, and had to be burnt. About 500
pirates were killed, and about 1000 made prisoners, while 200 guns,
large and small, were taken. The total casualties were : Battler,
4 killed, 7 wounded ; Pon-hatcni, 2 killed, 10 (2 mortally) wounded.*
On August 18th and 19th, 1855, the Biffcrn, 12, Commander
Edward Westby Vansittart, engaged a piratical sqiiadron off Leotung,
and burnt some junks ; and on September 18th, off Sheipoo, in
company with the hired armed vessel Paoushun, she attacked
twenty-two heavily armed jmiks, and destroyed the whole of them,
killing, it was asserted, no fewer than 1200 pirates. The Chinese
vessels were prepared, and had all their guns trained on the narrow
channel through which the sloop had to approach them. jS^everthe-
less, the British losses were comparatively slight. The Bittern's
Master, Mr. Charles Turner, was killed on board the Paoushun,
and 19 people were womided. Commander Vansittart w'as deservedly
posted, and Lieutenant George Augustus Cooke Brooker, who v.'as
wounded, was made a Commander, on January 9th, 185G.
Piracy had long since ceased to be the recognised national
pui'suit of the North African states, but was still practised occasion-
ally by the semi-nomadic Arabs along the southern Mediterranean
littoral.
' Disps. : China Mail.
1854.] THE MOORISH I'J HATES. 391
On June '20th, 1854, the merchant brig Cutlibcrt Young, of South
Shields, was captured and phnidered by piratical boats about ten
miles N.W. of Cape Tres Forcas, on the Kiff coast. The master and
some of the crew escaped to Gibraltar. Captain the Hon. George
Grey, (2) naval officer in charge there, ordered the Proinctheux, b,
paddle, Ciimniiuider Edward Bridges Kice, which arrived there on
the 2;)th, to proceed at once to the scene of the outrage. Rice
anchored on the 26th off Alhucemas, learnt from the Spanish
governor of other and similar enormities having been committed,
and, proceeding, discovered the CittJil)i-rt Young at 4 p.m. at anchor
in an inlet about eleven miles S.W. of Cape Tres Forcas. As he
approached he was fired upon with musketry from the neighbouring
rocks. Lieiitenant Eugene Gustave Francis Guidoboni Visconti.
and a party of seamen, nevertheless, made a hawser fast to the brig,
and hove up her anchor ; and at 6 p.m. the Prometheus backed out
with the vessel in tow, the sloop keeping up a brisk fire with grape,
canister, shell, and small-arms. In his dispatch, Commander Rice
mentions with approval the conduct of Lieutenants Visconti, and
William Henry Edye, and says that he had but one man wounded.
He does not, however, say what loss was inflicted iipon the pirates,'
who continued for many years afterwards to pursue their depreda-
tions. In August, 18r)(), a large body of them near Melilla actually
defeated with heavy loss a Prussian landing-party from the Damig, 12,
which sought to chastise them ; and wounded its leader. Admiral
Prince Adalbert.
The slave trade, until long after the middle of the nineteentli
century, continued to flourish, in spite of the very numerous captures
made by H.M. cruisers. The profits of the traffic, like those of
blockade-running during the civil war in America, were so large that
a single successful venture often, it is said, more than ii'paid an
owner for the loss of two ships. Moreover, the slavers had puwerlul
sympathisers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Cormorant, 6, screw, Commander Herbert Schomberg,
wliicli was commissioned in 1849 for service on the south-east coast
of America, cruised most successfully against these craft. In the
summer of 18i50, after having captured and destroyed the famous
slaver Itival in the Rio Frio by means of her boats under Lieutenant
(Jharles Maxwell Ijuclcraft, and having ijiiitted the rivei' under a
sharp musketry fire from tlie ])anks, the sloop headcil for the bay
' liire lo AilinUv., .Imic 'JSlli.
392 MILITASY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
of Paranagua. On June 29th she passed, and exchanged civiHties
with, a 14-gun fort at the entrance, and proceeded upwards, for about
fifteen miles, towards an island which was a known headquarters of
the forbidden trade. Off it lay several large vessels. The Cormurant
steamed as close to them as possible, anchored with a spring on her
cable, and despatched two cutters and a gig, under Lieutenants
Luckraft, and Herbert Philip de Kantzow, Midshipman Cecil W
Buckley, and Assistant- Surgeon William Ellis Hambl}', to overhaul
the suspicious craft ; whereupon two peaceable ships, which were
present, weighed, and, in a marked manner, separated themselves
from the others. The boats boarded and took possession of a ship '
and two brigs,- which were brought out and anchored under the
sloop's bow. A brigantine, which otherwise would also have been
taken, was sunk by her people. Not until July 1st was the
Cormorant able to weigh with her prizes in order to quit the bay.
"When she did so, her progress was challenged by the firing of an
unshotted gun from the fort already mentioned. Schomberg eased
and then stopped his engines ; but the fort soon began firing in
earnest. The Cormorant went to quarters, and presently proceeded
at full speed, towing the three slavers, and, as she passed, firing her
starboard guns at close range into the Brazilian work. She was
obliged to anchor inside the bar, where she burnt the two brigs.
Later in the day, when the water rose, she went to sea. In this
affair she received five shots in her hull, and had one man killed
and two people wounded. Schomberg's action was fully approved,
by Brazil as well as by Great Britain.
This taking of slave ships out of Brazilian ports ^ was a measure
which, until shortly before this time, had not been recognised as
lawful, and which had first been put in force in that year by
Lieutenant John Crawshaw Bailey, commanding the SharpsJwofcr, 4,
screw. On June '23rd, 1S49, he had carried off the slaver Polka from
under a battery at Macahe, and, though fired at, had escaped without
casualty.
The Vestal, '26, Captain Cospatrick BaiUie Hamilton, was another
vigilant and successful cruiser. In 18-52, she was refitting in Havana,
when a fine slave schooner, the Venus, slipped out of port during
the night. At dawn, Hamilton, who was heartily cheered by a
' The Campudora, ex-Lucy Ann, of Gi'eenpoint.
" The Donna Anna, aud Serca, noted slavers.
' 'J'his right was asserted by the Aberdeen Act, of 1845.
1849-52.] AFFAins WITH SLAVERS. 393
friendl)' American inan-ot'-wiir that la_v near him, went out with
extraordinary promptitude, chased the I'mun through the perils
of a tornado to ■within the Bahama reefs, brought her to by means
of a well-directed shot impelled by an extra charge of powder, and
captured her. Two other slavers were then seen among the reefs.
The Vestal could not follow theui, owing to her considerable draught
of water; but Hamilton, holding a pistol at the head of the mastei-
of the Venus, obliged that worthy to steer his own craft, with a
British crew on board, after the other vessels, and so took both of
them. This piece of service was mentioned in Parliament, and
Hamilton was rightly praised for his quickness and resource.
Off the West African coast good work was done by the Alert, ti.
Commander Hugh Dunlop, especially in the river Pongos at the
end of 1849; by the PJurnix, 6, screw. Commander George "Wode-
house ; and by the Pluto, 3, screw, Lieutenant William Kynaston
JoUiffe. On April 18th, 1850, the PJuenix chased a slaver, which,
on being pressed, turned and ran her on board, reducing her to a
perfect wreck aloft. The sloop, however, lowered a boat, which
took possession of the enemy. The Plioenix took eight other slavers
at about the same time. The Pluto, on February 14th, 1850, took
the American slaver Aiiiie I). Biehartlsoii, in spite of ingenious
arrangements which had been made to mislead the British as to her
real character.
In 1850, the natives about the mouth of the Benin river w'ere
guilty of numerous acts of piracy ; and, early in 1851, the Jael'al,
paddle, tender to the Tortoise, 12, visited the locality, with Consul
Beecroft on board, in order to make remonstrances, and, if possible,
arrange matters peaceably. While this vessel was going to and
returning from Warree, one hundred miles up the river, a factory
near the mouth of the stream was attacked by llie people of Bonbee
and Battary. Beecroft sent, therefore, for a larger man-of-war ;
and, on March '23rd, the Arelier, 14, screw. Commander James
Newburgh Strange, anchored off the bar, and, having left two of her
boats and twenty men under Lieutenant Norman Bernard Beding-
feld of the Jaekal, departed to pick up another of her boats which
she had left off Lagos. She returned on the 2()th, and, on the 27th,
joined the Jnrl.nl off Factory Isle. That afternoon Strange and
Bedingfcld, in their gigs, reconnoitred Bonbee, and were lired at.
On the 28th, the place was attacked by five boats of the Areher and
three of the JarLal, containing ninety-two oHicers and men, including
394 MILITAUY HISTORY OF THE llOYAL NAVY, iHlG-lSuU.
fourteen Kroomen. Lieutenant George Agar Ellis Kidge led in in
the Archer's pinnace under a heavy musketry fire. Below the town
were three guns on shore and five canoes, each mounting a 3-pr.
swivel ; but these made little serious opposition, and the place was
taken without loss on the side of the attack. On the "iQth another
town was taken, and, as the first had been, was destroyed. Again
there were no casualties. Further operations were happily rendered
unnecessary by the submission of the ofl'enders.
In 1852, the Dolphi)i, 3, Lieutenant Henry Temple, had an
interesting encounter with negro pirates or slavers in the river
Congo. On June 19th, an American brig, the Marij Adeline,
grounded on attempting to pass up. The British brigantine tried
in vain to get her off that day, and, on the following morning,
discovered that the stranded vessel was surrounded by canoes full
of armed natives, who eventually fired into and tried to board her.
The Dolpltiii sent a boat's gun, with ammunition, to the brig, and
herself opened fire with shot and shell, driving off the canoes, and
clearing the beach of about three thousand persons who were
assembled there. In the evening, the Firrtfi/, 4, paddle, Commander
George Alexander Seymour, arrived. On the '21st, the natives again
attacked, and were dispersed ; and on the evening of the -i'ind, the
Maru Adeline, having been lightened, was at length heaved off'.
On March 11th, 1853, in consequence of the detention of a
British subject at Medina, on the Sierra Leone river, by the chief,
who was, moreover, suspected of complicitj' in the slave trade, the
Teazer, 3, screw, tender to the Penelope, towing the boats of the
Linnet, 8, Commander Henry Need, with Need and Lieutenant
Frederic Dampier Kich in command, proceeded to the Bullom
shore. A party was landed and marched up to the town. Need
asked for the release of the prisoner, which was refused. He then
retired ; and, half an hour later, the Teazer and boats opened fire
with such good effect that the place was presently abandoned. After
some little further negotiation, the chief, Kelch Moodah, gave way.
On April 30th following. Need took three of the Linnet's boats up
the Pongos river, and, on the next day, captured the Spanish slave
brig Bellona and a slave schooner.
An expedition undertaken in 1853 by a party from the Thetis, 38,
Captain Augustus Leopold Kuper, C.B., against some troublesome
Indians in Vancouver's Island, was well managed and useful, but of
little intrinsic importance.
1853.] CAUSES OF THE WAlt WITH RUSSIA. 3Jt5
The most serious and protracted naval operations of the period
under review — those consequent on the outbreak of war witli
Russia in 1854 — have now to be described. First, however, it will
be well to say something concerning the situation which led to thai
outbreak.
In 1851 the Ottoman Porte appointed a mixed commission for the
purpose of examining into the long-existing differences between the
Latin and the Greek Churches as to the possession of the Holy
Places in Palestine. The commission ultimately decided in favour
of the Latin claims ; and Russia, ever a staunch champion of
Orthodoxy, promptly protested. The difticulties which thus arose
revived in the minds of Russian statesmen the idea of cutting uj)
the Tui'kish Empire and annexing as Russia's share a large and
rich portion which should include Constantinople ; and it seemed
to the Emperor Nicholas that the moment was favom-able for the
pursuit of the project. Austria was bound to him by ties of
gratitude : Germany, and especially Prussia, suffered still from the
effects of the revolutionary crisis of 1848 ; and France was not free
from domestic preoccupations. Great Britain remaiiuvl to be
reckoned with ; but the Tsar believed that he could arrive at a
satisfactorj' understanding wuth London. So soon, however, as his
plans became known to the cabinet of St. James's, co-operation and
countenance were plainly denied him; ikh- did he meet with better
success in Paris. Nevertheless, he was unwilling to al)andoii a
project, the realisation of which appeared both glorious and facile.
A bold stroke, he considered, might serve him as well as an alliance.
He decided to act ere the Powers should agree upon a line of
common action, and, if possible, to confront and confound their
opposition with his accomplished triumph. On May 5th, 1853,
therefore, Prince Menschikoff, at Constantinople, demanded "sub-
stantial and permanent guarantees on hclmlf of the Orthodox
Church," and required that every Orthodox subject of the Sultan
should be placed forthwith under the protection of the Tsar. Eor
the Porte, to submit was to surrender its independence. On
May 18th, diplomatic relations between the two countries were
broken off; and three days latei- the Sultan was informed that
Russia purposed to occupy the Danubian I'rincipalitics until such
time as the Ottoman government should see lit to accept Menschi-
koff's ultimatum in its entirety.
The British ficc;t in the Mediterranean was then commanded l)v
396 MILITAllY HISTOIIY OF THE JIOYAL NAVY, ISU; -lK.-,r,.
Vice-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B., who had his
flag in the Britannia, 120, Captain Thomas Wren Carter. It was at
once ordered to assemble at Malta ; and it was very soon afterwards
directed to proceed thence to Besika Bay,^ where it shonld have
fonnd awaiting it a French squadron under A^icc-Admiral de Lassusse,
who, on March '23rd, had left Tonlon, in the first instance, for
Salamis. Lassitsse, nnfortunatelj", underrated the seriousness of the
political situation, and, instead of using his steamers to tow his sailing
ships to the rendezvous, began to make his way slowly thither under
sail only. His late arrival, at a moment when neither Great Britain
nor France wholly trusted the good faith of the other, created so
bad an impression that he was immediately recalled, and super-
seded by Vice-Admiral Ferdinand Alphonse Hamehn. The allied
fleets, when at length the}' had joined one another in Besika Bay,
consisted of seven British and nine French ships of the hne, and
eight British and four French frigates, besides smaller vessels.
Neither of the flagships was a steamer ; and in large steamers,
indeed, the British contingent was then woefully deficient. The
French, however, had with their squadron the powerful screw
90-gun ship Napoleon, which made herself exceedingly useful when,
on October iZ'ind, at the invitation of the ambassadors at Constan-
tinople, the fleet began to move up the Dardanelles.
The Russians had entered the Danubian Principahties at the
end of July ; and the Sultan, Abdul Medjid, had been forced by
Turkish public opinion to declare war on October 4th. Operations
began at once ; and, in view of the possibility that, with a fair
wind, the Russian fleet from Sebastopol might hazard a sudden
raid upon Constantinople, the allied fleets at the end of October
entered the Bosphorus, and anchored off Beikos, opposite Therapia.
In the meantime, the ambassadors of Great Britain, France, and
Prussia, meeting at Vienna under the presidency of the Austrian
minister of foreign affairs, tried in vain to bring about a good
understanding between Russia and the Porte. Austria and Prussia
effectually baulked the efforts of the other Powers to secm-e fair
play for Turkey ; and the Tsar was led to suppose that, so long as
Austria and Prussia inclined in his favoiar. Great Britain and France
would hesitate ere they took an active part in the quarrel. Indeed,
the work of the conference at Vienna seemed at one moment to
^ It sailed uu June Hth, ami arrived uii the 13th. Besika Bay is on the coast of
Asia Minor, between liemnos and Tenedos.
1853.] rilE DISASTER AT SINOFE. 397
promise Eussia the attiiinment of her ohjects ; for it was instru-
mental ill Ktoppiii^- tlie victorious advance of Omar Tacha upon
Bucharest. At that time the Porte deemed it advisable to send
suppHes by sea to its troops in Asia IMinor. The business of con-
veying these was entrusted to Yice-Admiral Osman Pacha, and a
sailing squadron consisting of one BO-gun ship, six frigates,' three
corvettes,- and two small craft. The vessels were, for the most
part, weakly armed, ill-manned, and in indifferent order ; and they
were quite unfit to attempt any operation which might expose them
to attack by a division of the well-e(|uipped Eussian fleet from
Bebastopol. As it happened, the Eussian commanders in the
Black Sea had been specially directed tf) prevcsnt the shipping of
supplies to Asia INIinor.
Osmau put to sea in the course of November, and, soon after-
wards, anchored off Sinope. Vice-Admiral Nakhimoff,^ apprised of
his presence there, despatched from Sehastopol three vessels, which
reconnoitred the Ottoman squadron, ventured well within range of
the feeble batteries which defended the roadstead, and then retui-ned
with all speed. Osman should have been warned of his danger by
the appearance and behavioiu' of the hostile scouts, and should have
souglit refuge elsewhere ; but, trusting to the protection which he
supposed to be afforded him by the presence of the allied fleets in
the neighbourhood, he remained where he was. Unfortunately for
him, Dundas and Hameliu had orders only to defend Constantinople
against an attack from seaward, and to prevent a Eussian disem-
barkation anywhere in its vicinity. They had no authority to act
as convoy to Osman: niid, unless they convoj'ed him, tliey could
not protect him. On November 30th, Nakhimoff apj)eared before
Sinope with six ships of the line, two frigates, and three steamers.
He had left four otlicr frigates in the offing, and had stationed fast
dispatch vessels at intervals in the direction of the Bosphorus, so
as to gain speedy news of any movement on the part of the allies.
Summoned to sun-ench-r to su]i(!rioi- forces, Osman answered \\ith
a broadside. In lh<' action which followed, the Turks fought with
most dogged bravery; but their very determination rendered tliiii'
destruction the more complete. Fcnv of their inferior guns could
' Two of ijli, one of "lO, one ol' -II, one of 3S, iiml one uf oli guns.
^ Two of 24, and one of 22 giniR.
» Paul Steiiaiiovitcli NakhimolV (IHO.VJSSS), nailed round the world with J-azarelf
in 1820, fought at Xavarin, and died at Scbastopol of a wound received in the defence
of tlic ])lace.
398 MILITABY iriSTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
penetrate the stout scantling of the Russian ships of the Hne ; and
the gallant Ottoman squadron, while doing very little damage to
the enemy, was annihilated. Nearly all the officers and men
perished with their ships. A hundred or so gained the shore by
swimming, and ahout as many were taken, among the latter being
Osman, who was mortally wounded.
The disaster of Sinope startled Europe, discredited the A^ienna
conference, which had restrained Turkey but had failed to hold
back Eussia, and, by exasperating public opinion, precipitated the'
active interference of Great Britain and France. Their fleets were
at once directed to enter the Black Sea, and to prevent any further
enterprise of the Russian navy against the Ottoman flag ; and it
was decided that any Russian men-of-war which should refuse,
when encountered, to return to their ports should be forcibly
dealt with. The paddle frigate Betrihiition, 28, Captain the Hon.
James Robert Drummond, was despatched to Sebastopol to com-
municate this decision to the Russian authorities. It was foggy
when she arrived off the fortress; but Drummond, reducing speed
and sounding carefully, pushed on ; and, when the tog lifted, the
Russians were astonished to find him at anchor in the centre of
their harbour. They declined to receive his message until after he
had shifted his berth to a point out of range of the sea batteries.
He therefore weighed, and, while picking iip a new anchorage,
contrived, with the assistance of his very efficient officers, to make
a most useful plan of the defences. The episode deserves to be
remembered. When there is any danger of the outbreak of war,
no military port should be left open as Sebastopol was. Look-out
vessels and guard-boats should render all imsignalled approach im-
possible ; for an unscrupulous power might easily find it to its
advantage suddenly to begin hostilities during a fog, and to win an
initial success by blowing up in their own harbour half-a-dozen
ships of its neghgent enemy.
The allied fleets entered the Black Sea on January 3rd, 1854,
and proceeded to Sinope, where the wreckage of Osman's squadr'on
was still visible in the shallows. From Sinope two divisions, one ^
under Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, and the other under Rear-
Admiral Lebarbier de Tinan, convoyed to the coast of Asia Minor
a number of Turkish steamers laden with the needed troops and
' Agamemnon, 91, si;i'eiv (flag), Capt. Thomas Matthew Charles Syraonds; »Sa«s
J'areil, TO, screw, Capt. Sidney Colpoys Dacres, and two steam frigates.
1854.] DECLAMATION OF WAR AGAINST IWSSIA. 399
supplies for tlie garrisons there ; and Treljizond, Batouni and l''ort
St. Nicholas were successively visited. The divisions then n^turned
to Sinope, whence the body of the allied fleets withdrew presently
to the Bosphorus, only the steamships being left to show the flags
in the Black Sea, where, in the opinion of Dundas and Hamelin,
it was innvise to expose sailing vessels unnecessarily at such a
season of the year. A little later, when Greece betrayed an iucHua-
tion to interfere in the (juarrel between Kussia and the Porte,
Lebarbier de Tinan left Beikos and assumed command in the
Archipelago.
Since the beginning of the year there had been fighting on the
Danube, where, at length, the Turks had been driven back. The
Russians had 180, OOO men in the field : and it was rapidly becoming
clear that Omar Pacha, in spite of the bravery of his troops, could
not withstand them. On February '27th, accordingly, Great Britain
and France summoned Russia to evacuate the invaded Principalities,
declaring that a refusal would hv considered a casun belli. The
Tsar declined to obey ; and, on March •24th, the fleets in the
Bosphorus unmoored, and headed for the Bulgarian coast, arriving
off Kavarna, near the village of Baltchick, on the '26th. They were
thus stationed in order to be of assistance to the retreating Turks.
War had been regarded for some weeks as quite inevitable, when,
on March ^Tth, it was formally declared against Russia by Great
Britain and France, the two Powers immediately afterwards con-
cluding with the Porte a treaty of alliance oft'ensive and defensive.
The news of the declaration reached Dundus on April Uth, and
Hamelin on April 14th. Before the latter date the Furious, 1(5,
paddle. Captain William Loring, had been sent to Odessa ' to Itring
away the British consul ; and her boat, on leaving tlie Russian
coast, liiul l)een fired at Ijy the forts on April (itli.- In the mean-
time, troops had begun to be despatched eastward; and on April 17th,
the first detachments (French) '' reached Gallipoli, which, lying at
the eastern end of tlie Dardanelles, had betui selected as a suital)]e
base for operations \\liich were to have as their lii-st objcict the
defence of Adrianople and Constantinople. Dundas and Il.innlin
moved at once; from Kavai'ua, V>:\y to Odessa, Ix'Tmc which, on
' Odessa was already informally l)lo<;kaded by the Betribiitimi, 28, paddle, Capt.
Hon. James Kobert Drunimond, and Nif/cr, 1!, screw, Cnni. Lodiiold nci>rL;(! ITeath.
- Disp. of Hamelin, Apr. lOtli.
" Escorted by a squadron under Vicc-Adiairal Urniil, iVoni 'I'nidon.
400 MILITARY HISTOllY OF TILE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
April 20th, i\xe\ anchored in positions as close to the town as the
shallowness of the water would permit them to take up. The
Furious's boat, when fired at by the batteries, had been flying a
flag of truce. General Osten Sacken, governor of Odessa, declined
to make reparation or satisfactory explanation ; and, in consequence,
it was decided by the jidmirals to bombard the place.
The sitiiatiou of Odessa has been compared with that of
Brighton. The line of clifl's, however, upon which the town
stands, has a slight inward curve, and forms a shallow bay with
a radius of about three miles. The clifl's face N.E., and towards
the north they fall away into low sandy mounds and flat steppes.
Stretching out from below them, at the S.E. end of the town, is
the long fortified Quarantine Mole, with a lighthouse at its ex-
tremity. AVithin the mole lay many ships of all nations. Orders
were given that these should be respected as much as possible. The
military port was protected by another pier known as the Imperial
Mole. The attacking force was as follows :—
^hips. liims. ( 'omraauilers.
(-'apt. Lewis Tobias Joues.
Caiit. \\'illi.am Loring.
('apt. James Johnstone Me(Jleverty.
(-'apt. Henry Wells Gifi'ard.
Capt, Hon. James Robert Druumioml.
C.apt. William Robert Mentis.
Capt. lie Poucques d'Herbingliein.
Capt. Darricau.
(_'a)it. W.irnier ilc Wailly.
Rocket boats, with 24-pr. rockets, one from each sliij) in tlie oHing.
The rest of the allied fleets lay oft' the town at a distance of
about three and a half miles, the Sans Pareil, 70, screw. Captain
Sidney Colpoys Dacres, and the Hicjlifijer, 21, screw. Captain John
Moore (4), being, however, kept ready as a reserve.
At 5 A.M. on April 22nd, signal was made for the steamers and
boats in the above list to attack the works on and near the Imperial
Mole, which protected the miUtary port. The Samson,^ Tiger,
Vaubait, and Descartes, forming a first division, led in, and opened
a fire which was at once returned. The four vessels circled ofl' the
forts at a range of about 2000 yards, but, it would appear, effected
' The name is uniformly misspelt Sampson in the Navy Lists.
1 Samson, pailil. .
6
„ Furiuus, padil. .
10
.2 Terrible, jiadd. .
21
■g Tiijer, ]iadd.
1(5
Eetribution, ]iadd.
28
\Arethusa .
'^{)
-g C Vauhaii
20
%\ Descartes .
20
^ [Mugador .
28
1854.] BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA. 401
little damage. On the other hand, the Vauhaii was set on fire
by red-hot shot from the batteries, and was obliged to retire tem-
porarily from the action. Thereupon,' the Furious, Terrible, lictri-
hution, and Mogador were ordered to join the three ships which
remained engaged ; and presently both divisions anchored, in hopes
of bettering their practice. A great improvement was at once
apparent ; and, ere long, a red-hot shot from the Terrible blew up
a magazine on the Imperial Mole, and caused great devastation.
The Vauban, having extinguished the fire, soon rejoined her
consorts. Several ships in the military port burst into flames,
and were ultimately destro3-ed ; and, in the confusion, most of the
British and French merchantmen which bad lain within the
Quarantine Mole escaped and put to sea. The rocket-boats did
much damage to the storehouses in the dockyard, and burnt most
of them. They also, assisted by the steamers, drove off a Russian
field-battery which had suddenly opened upon them at close range
from behind the shelter of some sheds on the low shore. To make
a diversion, the Arethusa, late in the action, engaged the south
side of the Quarantine Mole, and fought it under sail until she was
recalled. The bombardment continued until 5.30 p.m., when, as it
was desired to spai's the town, which was then threatened by the
advancing flames, the order was given to cease fire. The French
appear to have lost no men, except in the Vauban, where 2 were
killed and 1 was wounded : the Terrible, which was much cheered
on her return to the fleet, had 2 killed and 5 wounded : the Retribu-
tion had 3 wounded : and the Samson had 5 wounded. Captain
McCleverty remained throughout on the paddle-box of his frigate,
which received twelve shot in her hull.
The allied squadrons put to sea, and, after having reconnoitred
Eupatoria on April '28th, appeared on the following day before
Sebastopol. Ten ships of the line, eight frigates or corvettes, and
five steamers were seen at anchor in the road ; and four other ships
of the line, besides small craft, were distinguished in the harbour,
basins, and docks. The Russians made no sign of movement.
In the early days of May a British and a French division, under
Sir Edmund Lyons and Commodore Vicomte de Chabannes re-
spectively, were detached to the eastern shores of the Black Sea.
The force consisted of the French auxiliary screw ship of the line
Charhin<i(iiir,\)(), \\.m\ the steam frigates il/(«/f/(A/y and \'(iuban, awX
' At 7 A.M.
VOL. VI. 2 D
402 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
of the Agamemnon, 91 (flag), Captain Thomas Matthew Charles
Symonds ; Sa mson, 6, Captain Lewis Tobias Jones ; and High-
flyer, 21, Captain John Moore (4). AH along the eastern coast were
Bussian military stations, most of which served merely as posts to
keep in check the still unconquered tribes of the then recently occu-
pied territorj' in the neighbourhood. In the majority of cases, the
authority of the Russian garrisons extended very httle beyond the
range of their guns ; and the places, in consequence, had to be fed
and supplied by way of the sea. The declaration of war by Great
Britain and France had, however, closed the sea to Bussian trans-
ports, and had been quickly followed by the evacuation and destruc-
tion of all the stations except Anapa, Soujak Kaleh, and Bedout
Kaleh. Of those three posts, the two first were too strong for
attack by Sir Edmund Lyons's httle squadron. Enquiries at Souk-
houm Kaleh, which had been already abandoned, showed that the
Bussians desired to preserve Bedout Kaleh as long as possible as a
doorway for supplies to their force at Kutais. Lyons therefore left
Soukhomn Kaleh on the morning of May ISth.
"As we passed lledout Kaleh," he say.';, "we observed a body of about 1000
infantry under arms, and that the few guns on the sea defences were maimed. If we
had opened our broadsides we could have obliged the enemy to retire ; but he would,
no doubt, have returned to occupy the place on our disappearing, and I, therefore, went
on with the squadron as fast as possible to Chourouksoo, in hopes of inducing the
General commanding there to aid me with a sufficient number to occupy and main-
tain the place. ... He sent an express to Selim Pacha ... . who placed at my
disposal a battalion of 300 infantry and three field-pieces, which were immediately
embarked. ... At 4 p.m." (on May 19th) "the squadron reappeared off Redout
Kaleh, where the troops were disembarked, under cover of the steam-vessels, about two
miles from the batteries, and at the same time a summons was sent to the commander
of the Bussian forces . . . under a flag of truce, and in charge of Lieutenant Maxse.' . . .
After a delay of nearly half-an-hour. Lieutenant Maxse left the shore without an
answer ; and consequently the Agamemnon and Charlemagne stood in, as close as the
depth of water would permit, and opened their fire on the quarter occupied by the
Eussian troops, as well as on the sea defences, which tried an ineflectual fire on the
boats. The enemy soon retired out of reach of the ships' guns, and the Turkish troops,
advancing along the beach, took possession of the batteries, when the firing ceased."^
The retreating enemy set fire to the magazines, storehouses, and
conunercial town, as well as to the neighbouring villages of Poti
and Agysoo. The allies, therefore, were left with only the militaiy
quarter to occupy. This was quickl}' made defensible, and was then
left in charge of the Turks, for whose support the Samson was
' Frederick Augustus Maxse, Lieut, of May 14th, 1852 ; Com. March 10th, 1855 ;
died an adm. on the retd. list 1900.
' Lyons to Dundas, May 21st.
1854.] LOSS OF THE "TiaER." 403
detached. While on the coast the combined divisions captured
two Bussian brigs bound for Kertch, with men and munitions from
some of the abandoned fortresses. Among the officers who rendered
good service upon the occasion, Sir Edmund Lyons parcicalarly
mentions Lieutenant William B,ue Holland, ' hrst of the Agameni-
noit, who superintended the embarkation and disembarkation of the
troops.
In the course of this expedition, Lyons and de Chabannes had
several conferences with the Circassian leaders, and with the repre-
sentative of the famous patriot Schamyl ; and the people along the
coast were armed and were encouraged to co-operate with the allies.
Unfortunately the Circassians were disunited, and the Turks were
unpopidar among them ; so that little good was effected by the
negotiations. The detached forces rejoined the fleets off Kavarna
on May 28th.
In the meantime, the main part of the combined fleets had
cruised, chiefly off' Sebastopol, returning to Kavarna on May '20th.
The ships had had few difficulties to contend with, except such as
arose from the state of the weather. They had, however, been
seriously hampered l)y thick and persistent fogs, and had, on several
occasions, narrowly escaped damage by collision ; and fog was
actually responsible for the loss of one vessel, the Tiger.
The Ti(jer, 16, Captain Henry Wells Giflard, with the Niger, 14,
Commander Leopold George Heath, and Vetiuoius, 6, Commander
Richard Ashmore Powell, had been detached on May 11th to cruise
off Odessa. Almost immediately she became separated from her
consorts, owing to the fog. Said Mr. Henry Jones Domville, her
Surgeon :
"On the morning of the 12th, at (J a.m., I was awolce by the crash of the ship
going ashore ; and, when the dense fog cleared a little, wo found ourselves about five
miles S.E. of Odessa. Guns were fired to attract the attention of the other steamers,
but without avail. About 9 o'clock the <;uns from the shore commcueed firing. In
less than ten minutes the i'/V/er was on fire iu two jilaceK, and the Captain and others
were frightfidly woimded. We could only use one gun, tlie others having been thrown
overboard, or removed, to ligliten the ship. I performed four amputations before I left
the ship, which I did almost the last, in care of the wounded. Poor Captain Gifl'ard
lost his left leg, and has a severe wound in his right. My knowledge of French proveil
a great blessing; for some of the Russian officers understood it: and I was alile to send
into the town for medicines, etc. ... A Midsliipnian who lost both his legs and is a
relative .and namesake of the Captain, iliud on tlic beaeh, and one man on the road. . . ."
It should be added that, inuncdiately after having struck, the
' Com. \oV. l.".th, 1K51.
2 D 2
404 MILITARY HISTORY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
Tiger got out her boats, and laid out anchors astern, in addition to
lightening herself ; and that she was practically defenceless when,
upon discovering her position, the Eussiaus opened upon her from
the heights at short range with field-pieces. She therefore had no
course but to surrender. Before surrendering, the sui-\-ivors en-
deavoured to burn their ship. The enemy treated the people very
well, and gave them permission to remove their effects ; but, upon
the appearance, a few hours later, of the Niger and Vesuvius, the
Russians, fearing lest the vessel might be recovered, reopened fire
upon her, and succeeded in blowing her up. In trying to prevent
this, the Niger had three men slightly wounded. Captain Giffard
died of his wounds, and was biiried at Odessa with military honours
on June '2nd. Fatal injuries were also received by Midshipman
George Giffard, tw'o seamen, and a second-class boy ; and three other
persons were wounded.
On June 1st, Vice-Admiral Dundas blockaded the mouths of the
Danube. This was the first sound strategical move of the allied
commanders in the Black Sea. The attack on Odessa had been
merely a pimitive operation, involving a certain amount of loss to
the enemy, but not striking at his vitals. The raid to the eastward
was faultily conceived, seeing that most of the garrisons had been
withdrawn safely before it was attempted, and that it was not pre-
ceded, as it should have been, by a rigorous blockade of such ports
as Sebastopol and Kertch, whither, in view of the smallness of the
allied forces on the coast, many of the fugitive Russians were able
to make their way by sea, and whence those who remained at Anapa
and Soujak Kaleh still had a chance of drawing occasional supplies.
The blockade, on the other hand, of the Danube mouths, threatened
the communications of the Russians who had been advancing south-
wards, and who were already held in check before Silistria by Omar
Pacha at Shumla.
By the end of May about 32,000 French troops, under Marshal
Saint Arnaud, and about 18,000 British, under Lord Raglan, had
been disembarked at Gallipoli. As has been explained, that place
had been selected for their concentration on account of its proximity
to Adrianople and Constantinople ; but, by the end of May, those
cities were no longer in danger of sudden attack, and the armies at
Gallipoli were, in consequence, useless in that quarter. Raglan and
Saint Ai-naud came to the conclusion that they could be best em-
ployed if they were transferred to Varna ; and, at the request of
1854.]
BLOCKADE OF THE DANUBE.
405
those officers, Dundas and Hamelin took measures to facilitate the
carrying out of the movement. The ships of the line were retained
off Kavama to cover the projected landing, and to protect the base,
while the steam frigates of the two squadrons were despatched to
the neighbourhood of Sebastopol to watch the motions of the Kussian
fleet, and to prevent interference from that quarter.
The blockade of the Danube led to several small encounters
ADMIHAI, SIB JAMES WlIll'LEV UEASS DUNDAS, G.C.D.
(Fniiii III! iiiiirai'hio litl IV. J. Edwards, iiftcr a iiholnijrttph.)
between British vessels and forces of the enemy. On June 2nd, for
example, the Niger, 14, screw. Commander Leopold George Heath,
was able materially to luiiioy the Kussians on Lake Adjalieli ; and,
towards the end of June, the works in the Suliua mouth were
bombarded, and partially destroyed, by the Firebrand, (5, paddle.
Captain Hyde Parker (4), and Vesuvius, 6, paddle, Commander
Kichard Ashmore Powell. It was then supposed that the Kussians
bad almost entirely abandoned the vicinity. On July 7lh, Captain
406 MILITABY EISTOliY OF THE IWYAL NAVY, 1816-185G.
Parker pulled up the stream in his gig, followed by a second boat
belonging to his o'wn ship, and by a third containing Commander
Powell. He seems to have believed that no enemy was near ; but
he was nevertheless fired on from a stockade. Having put back,
he again advanced with the other boats, and, landing, pluckily led
an attack, in the course of which he was shot through the heart.
Powell, si^cceeding to the command, easily drove off the enemy.
Parker, who was much regretted, was but thirty years of age. On
July 17th, boats from the Vesuvius, and the Spitfire, 5, paddle,
Commander Thomas Abel Bremage Spratt, went up to the scene of
Parker's death, destroying all the stockades. They then pushed on
to the town of Sulina, which they burnt, leaving only the church
and the lighthouse.
On June 11th, the Furious, Terrible, and Descartes, all com-
manded as before, appeared off Sebastopol and discovered in the
road twelve ships of the line, four sailing frigates, two steam frigates,
and various small craft. Certain vessels which had been noticed on
the occasion of previous visits seemed to be absent ; and, as it was
imagined that the missing craft might have proceeded to the Gulf
of Perekop, the division went northward in search of them. On the
return of the allies, some days later, the Russians made an ingenious
but unsuccessful effort to lead the three frigates into a trap, and to
cut them off, but declined action so soon as it appeared that the
nature and object of the n;se were detected. Several days afterwards
the division again offered battle to a superior Russian squadron of
six steamers off Cape Khersonese, but without result.^ It was
observed, dui-ing the cruise, that the enemy had organised an
excellent look-out service along the coast, and noted and reported
every movement of the frigates ; and it became evident that
it would be difficult, if not impossible, to take the Russians by
surprise.
The transfer of the arm}' to Varna was effected without much
difficulty. One French division marched overland ; other divisions
made their way to Constantinople and embarked there for their
destination, going on board the squadron of Vice- Admiral Bruat,
which, towards the end of June, anchored off" Kavarna, and thence-
forward became part of Vice-Admiral Hamelin's command. All the
British troops were carried round in hired transports, under the
convoy of Dundas's squadron, which was thus left unencumbered,
' Letter from the Terribh's Engineer, in X'olau's ' Hist, of the War,' I. 262.
1854.] THE CRIMEA EXPEDITION. 407
and ready for action on the voyage. It was, of course, much more
costly to employ merchantmen than to utilise the men-of-war as
troopships ; but the troops profited by having more room, and some-
what gi-eater comfort; and the naval officers and seamen enjoyed the
immense advantage of having nothing to distract their attention from
the fulfilment of their proper duties.
No sooner had the allied armies been assembled at Varna than
they learnt that the Eussian Marshal Paskievich had lanexpectedly
raised the siege of Silistria, and had retired, leaving free the right
bank of the Danube. Thus the troops once more found themselves
in a position where they could be of little immediate use. Yet,
although the Kussians were withdrawing from the Turkish provinces
in Europe, the Tsar showed no inclination to treat. The question
then arose whether the allies should remain in Turkey, so as to
protect it against renewed invasion, or should adopt a bolder policy,
and carry the war into the enemy's country, so directing, instead of
merely waiting upon, the course of events. It was not deemed wise
to attempt to follow up the retreating foe ; for south-western Eussia
had already been the grave of a far greater force than Great Britain
and France were prepared to throw into it in the summer of 1854 ;
and it would take many months to collect the troops and transport
necessary for a successful advance inland to the north-east. On the
other hand, the allies were supreme afloat ; and operations supported
by the fleets promised comparativelj' easy victories. Moreover, at
Sebastopol, a well-fortified base, lay a strong Eussian fleet which,
so long as it was " potential," was a continual source of anxiety to
Turkey and her friends. One of the Eussian steam-frigates, the
Vladimir, indeed, as late as July, made a daring cruise from Sebas-
topol, sank several Turkish vessels off the Asiatic coast, and towed
back with her two others. It was considerations such as these
which kid the military leaders to decide upon the invasion of the
Crimea. Dundas himself was opposed to the project ; but the
authorities in London and Paris adopted the proposals of the
generals ; and on July Gth orders were received that the invasion
should he undertaken. Vast preparations of all kinds had to be
made; and on July 24th, Vice-Admirals Dundas and Bruat put to
sea with a considerable force to reconnoitre the coasts of the Crimea,
and to determine at what point or points the disembarkation of the
troops should be effected. The squadron was accompanied by
Generals Brown and Canrobert, representing respectively Eaglan
408 MILITARY IIISTOBY OF THE HOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
and Saint x^rnaud, and by several engineer and artillery officers
from both armies.
On Jul}' 25th, the military commission went on board the
Fury, 6, paddle, Commander Edward Tatham, in which Sir Edmund
Lyons hoisted his flag, and, escorted by the French steamer Cacique,
14, approached the Crimean coast, the squadron remaining in the
VICE-ADMIRAL EDJIUXD, LORD LYONS, BART., G.C.I!., D.C.L.
(From an engraving bij D. J. Pound, after a photograilh bi/ Kilbitrn.)
offing. On the following day, the shore, from Eupatoria to Cape
Khersonese, was very carefully examined, special attention being paid
to the beach near the mouths of the Alma and the Katcha, and
numerous soundings being made in order to discover how much
protection to the disembarking forces could be afforded by men-of-
war of deep draught. The reconnoitring ships were ultimately
joined by the Terrible; and, when off Sebastopol, excited some
movement among the ships in the road. These seemed about to
weigh and proceed in chase ; but they ceased their preparations so
1854.] CUOLEBA IX TUE FLEETS. 409
soon as they noticed the presence of the combined squadrons. The
commission returned to Varna in the Agamemnon, which re-anchored
off Baltchick on July 2yth. Dundas and Braat showed themselves
on the south coast of the Crimea, and their steamers entered the
bays of Balaclava and Kaffa in order to confuse and deceive the
enemy ; but the whole squadron returned to Kavarna on the night
of the 30th. During its absence, Odessa had been reconnoitred and
alarmed.
Up to the beginning of July, the general health of the expedition
had been satisfactory. Cholera had then begun to show itself, not
only in the camps and hospitals on shore, but also in many of the
transports which were then arriving almost daily from France.
Marshal Saint Arnaud appears not only to have failed to cope with
the danger when it manifested itself, but also to have courted it by
sending troops in the hottest season of the year to the pestilent
district of the Dobrudscha. Thousands of these were brought back
in a dying condition by the French war steamers, which were de-
spatched to their assistance ; and thus the fleets became seriously
infected. In one day, August 10th, sixty-two seamen died in the
Ville de Paris, 120, and the Montehello, 1'20 ; but, up to that date,
the British squadron had been comparatively exempt from the
scourge ; and Vice-Admiral Dundas, in hope of checking its progress,
took all his ships to sea on August I'ith.
" (.)n the morning of August 14th tlie crews were tolerably healthy : befure the
close of that day more than 5ii seamen of the Britannia were no more. Within three
days 112 men of that ship were consigned to the deej). . . . The Admiral returned
with the fleet to Baltchick Bay, and removed the remaining sick to the Apollu troo[)-
ship. Captain Johnson.' . . . The ships of the squadron were cleansed and fumigated,
and thenceforward the cholera disappeared from on board. Up to August 25th, when
the disease may be said to have ceased, the French fleet iruist have lost more than a
thousand seamen. 'J'he flag-ships of the allied fleets had been anchored close together ;
and in those vessels the mortality greatly e.\ceeded that of the others. The Villt de
Paris lost 140 men, the Montcbdlu 230, the Britannia had a total loss of 120; of the
other shi]is, the greatest mortality was in the '/'ra/ah/ar, Alhion, and Furious."^
The plan of the allied generals, if plan it may be called, was to
disembark an army on the shores of the Crimea under the protection
of the combined fleets ; to march upon 8e])astopol, lieating or driving
back the troops encountered on tlic way ; to seize the place ; and to
' The Apollo, 8, was nnmiMaliy a storeship, and was commanded by Master tieorge
Johnson.
'^ 'British Fleet in the Black Sea,' by Maj.-denl. \Vm. Brcretou, C.B. (Privately
jirinlcd, 1856).
410 MILITAIIY niSTOJlY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
embark again. The idea, in other words, was to carry Sebastopol
by a coup dc main, which was to be executed with extreme rapidity
and vigour. But the plan was based neither upon knowledge nox-
upon reason. " A total want of information existed, either as to the
military strength of the enemy in the Crimea, or of the land defences
of Sebastopol. All that was known with certainty was derived from
the fleets after their repeated reconnaissances of the harbour, that
the sea defences were enonnously strong, and that the Eussian fleet
amounted to sixteen sail of the line, eleven war steam-frigates . . .
and other vessels of war." ' Some time before, moreover. Saint
Arnaud had expressed his opinion that, safely to carry out the
proposed operation, the allies should have 100,000 men. In August
they had not half that number. In addition, only half of the British
battering train had arrived ; no part of the French siege artillery
had reached Varna ; and, while the British were short of means of
land transport, the French were totally deficient in proper means
of transport for troops by sea.
Certainly Dundas, and apparently Hamelin also, fully realised
the difiiculties and risks of the project. Each represented to the
generals that it was intended to land upon a stretch of coast
possessing no good ports, and that the fleets would lie exposed to
the mercy of the first of the storms of autumn ; that the victualling
and supplying of the army would be much hampered by this
lack of good ports, and by the dangers of navigation in the late
season of the year ; and that, should the army meet with serious
reverses, it would be impossible to disembark it in face of the enemy,
without making disastrous sacrifices. Yet the naval chiefs co-
operated loyally with their military colleagues ; and when, on
August 26th, at a council of war, it was formally detenuined to
set out at once upon the expedition, Dundas stated that the fleet
was fully prepared to convey the army to, and land it at, whatsoever
point should have been determined on for the disembarkation.
Dundas, unfortunately, was hardly the officer for a position of so
much hard work and responsibility. In 18.54 he had been for fifty-
five years in the Navy, and, previous to his advancement to flag-
rank, he had been a Post-Captain for thirty-four years. Of honour- -
able and kindly nature, but only of moderate energy and ability, he
had been enabled by familj* and political influences to obtain the
Mediterranean command when, at a time of profound peace, he had.
' Brereton, 8.
1854.] TEE VOYAGE TO THE CRIMEA. 411
sought for congenial occupation for an inadventurous old age. But
he had an active and capable second in Sir Edmund Lyons. Never-
theless, the work of transportation, though it was accomplished with
success, was done in a bungling and foolhardy manner. The French
army began its embarkation on August 31st, and completed it on
September 2nd. On September 3rd, when Hamelin was ready to
sail, the British were still unprepared. The French, in consequence,
waited until the 5th, when fourteen of their saiUng vessels, absolutely
unconvo3-ed, put to sea in advance. Until the 8th, those ships were
entirely without protection, and would have been an easy prey to
any brace of roving Eussian steam-frigates. The mass of the fleets
and transports did not leave Baltchick Bay until September 7th.
The French embarked about 28,000 men ; the British about 24,000.
Saj's Brereton,
" Transports sufficient for the latter were available ; but the French army ' had
necessarily to be embarked on board the line of battle ships of that nation, each of
which received from 1800 to 2000 soldiers in addition to its crew, amounting to from
800 to 1000 seamen. So crowded, indeed, were the line of battle ships of our allies,
that, had the Russian fleet, at any time of the voyage from Varna, quitted their harbour,
the contest must have been sustained by the English ships, of which only one Hue of
battle ship, the Agamemnon, was a steamer,- for the Sans Pareil, though nominally a
screw vessel, was too defective in her machinery to have been depended upon. Not a
gun could have been fired from the French line of battle ships ; in fact, their decks
were so crowded that it was difticidt even to an individual to make his way through
the dense masses of soldiers ujwn them. It has, indeed, been subsequently made
known that the Russian Admiral urged Menschikoff to be jjermitted to engage the allied
fleets upon their voyage. The English naval Commander-in-Chief was fully alive to
the disadvantage he was under, and often remarked: 'If the Russiiins have the spirit
of mosquitoes, the}- will now leave their harbour and try the issue.' The convoy
amounted to several hundred transpoi-ts, full of troo))s, without means of defence, and
depending upon the war vessels for protection."^
The point originally selected for the disembarkation of the army
was the mouth of the little river Katcha. On the voyage thither a
signiil was made from the French flag-ship to the effect that Marshal
Saint Arnaud, who was very unwell, desired to confer with Lord
Eaglan and Vice-Admiral Dundas, who, in consequence, proceeded
in the Caradoc, 2, paddle. Lieutenant Samuel Hoskins Derriman, to
the Ville dc Paris. While Eaglan, who had lost a leg, remained
alongside, Dundas visited the Marshul, who was too ill to spsak, but
who pointed to an unsigned paper, which the Vice-Admiral read.
' Or, more accurately, the greater part of it; fi^r the French disposed of three
steam and forty-nine sailing merchantmen.
* There were, of course, niunerous steam frigates and tug.«, etc.
' Brereton, '.i.
412 MILITARY niSTOBY OF THE BOl'AL NAVY, 1816-1856.
This paper represented that a lauding at the Katcha would be too
hazardous, as the British press and Parliament had made known to
the enemy that it had been fixed upon as the point of disembarka-
tion, and as the Enssians were doubtless well prepared there. The
paper went on to say that the season was too advanced for a siege of
Sebastopol. Dundas took it to Kaglan, in whose presence there was
much discussion, but who declined to alter the decision at which he
had arrived at Varna. He, however, agi'eed that the coast between
Eupatoria and Sebastopol should be again reconnoitred with a view
to determining whether a better point than Katcha could be found
for the landing.^ Accordingly, while the fleet and transports an-
chored in twenty-two fathoms of water, out of sight of land, the
Caradoc, and the Primauguet, 8, escorted by some steamers under
Sir Edmund Lyons, took on board Lord Eaglan, and representatives
of the staffs of both armies, sighted Cape Khersonese on September
10th, and thence proceeded to the northward. Little change seemed
to have been made in the situation at Sebastopol ; but camps had
been established near the mouths of the Katcha and Alma, and else-
where ; and, after careful survey and discussion, it was decided that
the landing place should be Old Fort, an open beach about twelve
miles south of Eupatoria, which was flanked by lagoons, and which
could be swept by the fire of the ships. It was also decided to occupy
Eupatoria, and to garrison it with 2000 Turks, and two infantry
battalions, one British and one French.
In pursi;ance of these plans, the fleets and transports proceeded.
On the 11th, and again early on the 12th, the French contingent
dropped entirely out of sight ; but the whole force anchored
off Eupatoria on the 12th and 13th. The place, which was not
defensible, was at once summoned, and, surrendering, was taken
possession of.- On the 14th and following daj's the troops and
the Marines were landed without opposition, under cover of the
guns of the ships, and within sight of Sebastopol ; and, while the
disembarkation was in progress, a division of frigates,^ with troops
on board, was sent to the mouth of the Katcha to deter the Eussians
from advancing northward. A camp there was shelled, and its occu-
pants were forced to withdraw out of range. The advance southward
' Brereton, 12.
^ It was placed under the command of Capt. Thomas Saumarez Brock, I'.X., and
was held until after the fall of Sebastopol.
^ Samson, Fury, Vesuvius, and some French steamers.
J\^
8 I
1854.]
THE LANDING IN THE CBIMEA,
413
along the coast began at once, the fleets keeping simultaneously
within sight and range.
Long ere this there had been active naval operations in other
quarters, to which attention must be temporarily directed.
As soon as war became imminent, the governments of Great
Britain and France resolved to take action in the Baltic. France
had sent to the Levant nearly all her immediately available ships,
under Vice-Admirals Hamelin and Bruat, and Bear-Admirals Lebar-
bier de Tinan, Chamer, and Bouet-Willaumez ; and some time
elapsed ere she could fit for sea another fleet, the command of which
was given to Vice-Admiral Parse val-Deschenes. Great Britain had
wider resources, and, as early as March 11th, 1854, was able to
despatch from Spithead the following fleet :
Ships. Gruns.
Dukt (if Wellington, scr. . . . | 131
A'dinburgb, scr 60
Leopard, psuld 18
Prinremt /^>I/a^ scr 91
Ruijal frtorge, sei". . . . . 120
St. Jeiin d' Acre, acT 101
Jfogue, scr tiO
Ajax, (jcr tiO
lilenheim, scr 60
Jmjif^rieuse, scr 51
Arrogant, tcv 46
Amphion, scr , ^^
Trihimf, scr 31
Valori/us, patid 16
Drogitn, \m*\-\. . . i.
Commanders,
|V.-Ad. Sir Charles Xapier (2), K.C.B )
R.-Ad. Michael Seymour (2), Capt. of I
k'api. (_iecji[i;c' Th<imas Cordon. [Fleet. |
rli.-Ad. Henry l)n< ie Clia.lH. O.B. (B). 1
'('apt Richard Strode Hewlett. /
K.-Ad. James llanway Plumritlge (W). l
.('apt. George Uiffard. ]
(.'apt. Lord Clarence Edward Paget.
Capt. Henry John Codriugtoo, C.B.
('apt. Hon. Henry Keppel, |
(-'apt. William HaiuNiy. |
Capt. Freilerick Warden.
Capt. Hou. Frederi k 'I horaas Pelbam.
(.apt. Rnndle Burgos Watson, (_'.B.
Capt. HastingH Reginald Yelveiton.
Capt. Astley Cooper Key.
Capt. Hon. SwiuK*n Thomas (!'aruegie.
Capt. <laude Henry Masun Buckle.
I apt. James WilKox.
Tons.
H.P.N.
Crew
3V00
780
1100
H72
450
660
1412
560
280
3129
400
850
2616
400
990
3400
600
900
1750
450
660
1761
4.'i0
500
1747
450
600
2347
360
530
1872
360
450
1471
300
320
1570
300
300
1255
400
220
1270
560
2211
Previous to the departure of this fleet, the Masters of each ship
proceeded to the Baltic in the steam sloop Hrrla, (i, Captain William
Hutcheon Hall, leaving Hull on Februarj' 19th, and rejoining Sir
Charles, off Dover, with a mass of most valuable intelligence.'
Never before had a large force, composed exclusively of steam-
vessels, quitted England on a hostile mission. Large additions, of
sailing as well as of steam-vessels, were subsequently made to the
command.
Although tlicre was no excuse for the inefficient condition - in
which this by no means very powwful licet left England, there were
excellent reasons for its despatch with the utmost speed ; for it had
become known that in January the Kussian floot in the Gulf of
' Disp. iif Com.
' See, for example, 'Autol>. of Lord C. Paget,' 78; Napier, 224; Sulivaii, lliO,
etc., etc.
414 MILITABY HISTOIiY OF THE liOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Finland had been increased to 27 sail of the Hue, and that, in
addition, it included 8 or 10 frigates, 7 corvettes and brigs, 9 paddle-
steamers, 15 schooners and luggers, and 50 or 60 gunboats. On
March 10th, 18 of the ships of the line were at Cronstadt ; and
gigantic efforts were being made to get some of the best of them to
Sweaborg ^ through the ice. Napier's fleet made rendezvous on
March 19th in Wingo Sound, on the Swedish coast, whence the
Commander-in-Chief paid a visit to the King of Denmark. From
Wingo Sound the ships sailed on March 23rd with a northerly wind,
and, on the 27th, anchored off Kiel, having passed through the Belt
w'ithout pilots, and having been joined on the way by Eear-Admiral
ADMIRAL TUE KT. HON". SIB ASTLEY COOPER KET, G.C.B., F.Ii.S.
Armar Lowry Corry (W), in the sailing line of battle ship Neptune,
120, Captain Frederick Hutton, with two other vessels of the line.
Napier's instructions from the Foreigni Office will be found set
forth in the ' Baltic Campaign.' " He was to take care that no
Eussiau ship should pass by him into the North Sea ; to turn his
attention to the Aland Islands ; not to engage on any desperate
venture ; if called upon, to protect Danish and Swedish territory
from attack by Russia ; and to look into Reval and other fortified
places. It appeared to him that Kjoge Bay, near Copenhagen, was
the best position from which, without dividing his fleet, he might
watch both the Belts and the Sound, and thither, therefore, he pro-
ceeded, arriving on April 1st. On the 4th, after he received from
London news of the declaration of war, he made the following much
criticised signal to his command : —
" Lads, war is declared with a numerous and bold enemy. Should the}- meet us
' Napier, ii. 223, 224. The Russians believed that Cronstadt would be first
attacked, and that the forts there would repel the ships, whereupon the fresh vessels at
'Sweaborg would be able to complete their discomfitme.
- P. 51 et sej.
1854.] THE FLEETS IN THE BALTIC. 415
■and ofler battle, you know how to disjiose of tliein. Should they reniaiu iu port, we
must try and get at them. Success depends upon the quickness and precision of your
firing. Also, lads, sharpen your cutlasses, and the day is your own ! "
At that period France was represented in the Baltic by only a
single vessel, the screw line of battle ship Austerlitz, 100, Captain
Laurencin.^ Some of the British frigates, and such small craft as
were available, were immediately detached to blockade Riga, Libau,
and other hostile ports, and to form a chain between Bornholm and
the south shore of the Baltic, iu order to intercept the enemy's trade ;
and a flying squadron of steamers, under Bear-Admiral Plumridge,
was sent to reconnoitre the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. The
Commander-in-Chief's hands were, however, somewhat tied by the
fact that both troops and gunboats had been refused to him, and
that he was already iu strained relations with the Admiralty, in
consequence of some expression which he had made use of at a
dinner at the Eeform Club before his departure ; of the warmth
with which he had criticised the inefficient manning of the fleet ;
and of the manner in which he had resented what he conceived
to be the Board's rude treatment of him.
The fleet weighed from Kjoge Bay on April 12th, and took up
its cruising ground off Gottska Sando ^ on the 1.5th. Plumridge
having rejoined, the eight battleships, Dtike of Wellington, Edhihurgli,
St. Jean d'Acre, Princess Boijal, Cressy, 80, screw, Captain Eichard
Laird Warren, Hogue, Royal George, and Cccsar, 91, screw. Captain
John Eobb, with several frigates, proceeded on the 16th towards
Hango and Sweaborg, while the rest of the fleet was entrusted to
Eear- Admiral Corry, and left behind. But the prevalence of fog
unnerved the Connuander-in-Chief,^ who presently returned to his
former cruising ground, instead of pushing on at once to the neigh-
bourhood of Helsingfors. It should be borne in mind that the
Admiralty at that time refused to allow local pilots for tlie tleet,
-although, as Napier urged, it would have been more costly to lose
one ship than to employ a great number of pilots. It may be
remembered, too, that Napier was then an old man, very different
from the Napier of the days when Ponza was captured. It may
even be supposed that Napier already knew, in substance, the
' She did not, however, join Napier till May 1st. Vide infra.
^ A small island not marked on the accompanying,' map, but lying near the "e."
of " Raltic Sea."
^ Otway, 'Paget,' 'M.
41G MILITAHY HISTORY OF THE IWYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
views which were held at the Admiralty, and which were ex-
pressed by Sir James Graham, who, WTiting on April 10th,' said : —
" I rely un your jiruilence in not knocking your head against stone walls prematurely,
or withont the certainty of a great success, or the fair prospect of attaining some most
important object worthy of the risk and of the loss, which, when you attack fortresses
with ships, are serious and inevitable."'
Nevertheless it looks as if Napier's return may possibly have
deprived his country of the advantage and glory of the captiu-e
of part of the Russian fleet at the beginning of the war ; for it has
never been satisfactorily established whether, at that time, the
enemy's force lay outside or inside Helsiugfors. Giffard, Plum-
ridge's Flag-Captain, had seen it, at a distance, and believed that
it was outside. And while Captain Bartholomew James Sulivan,
of the Lightning, 3, paddle, reported that one native had told him
that the Bussians were inside, he also reported that another native
had informed him that they had failed to get in through the ice
at the harbour's mouth.' If the Russians were indeed outside,.
Napier might have taken or destroyed them. He afterwards took
the fleet into Elgsnabben, about forty miles from Stockholm, where
the Austerlitz joined on May 1st. When, on May .5th, the fleet
weighed from Elgsnabben, the GuK of Finland was entirely free
from ice, and there was no further chance of catching the Russians
outside their ports. Napier returned off Gottska Sando, where, as
far as can be judged, his presence was useless ; and Rear-Admiral
Plumridge, with a division of paddle-vessels, was despatched to
harass the enemy in the Gulf of Bothnia, where, although he acted
in pursuance of definite orders from home, his wholesale destruction
of property unfortunately alienated the inoffensive and perfectly
friendly inhabitants. The Amphion, 34, screw. Captain Astley
Cooper Key, Conflict,^ 8, screw. Captain Arthur Cumming, and
other craft, meanwhile blockaded the Gulf of Riga, where the former
frigate distinguished herself by capturing a number of merchant
vessels under batteries.
Plumridge, in the Leopard, 18, paddle. Captain George Gift'ard,
with the Vulture, 6, paddle. Captain Frederick Henry Hastings
Glasse, Odin, 16, paddle. Captain Francis Scott, and Valorous, 16,
' Letter received on Ap. 19th, Xajiier, 238.
2 Otway, ' Paget,' 92 : Sulivan, 13G.
' The Amphion and Conflict captured Libau, on May 10th, without firing a shot^
and took all the shipping in the port. On April 18th, the Conflict had lost her
Captain, John Foote, wdio had been drowned, with four men, in his gig, off Memel.
.^/f///U^r// .^y S/a^^ ^M/^^r.^^. S. ^^
y^
^ yf A^rmcOM^r* yt^ A^a ^^rf^u^oM^A^^T-.
f,^.
1854.] THE AFFAIR AT GAMLA CARLES Y. 417
paddle, Captain Claude Heiu-y Mason Buckle, after destroying
vessels and storehouses, etc., at Brahestad and Uleaborg, and
capturing several gunboats, sent the boats of the Vulture and
Odin, on June 7th, into Gamla Carleb}', where there was a building
yard, to suimuon the authorities to deliver up all the property
there belonging to the Kussian government. The demand was
refused ; and the officer who had made it was in the act of retiring
to the ships, when fire was opened upon him from muskets and field-
pieces, and several of his people were killed and wounded. As tlie
frigates drew too much water to l)e able to approach, nine of their
boats, manned and armed, carrying 180 officers and men, imder
Lieutenant Charles Arthur Wise, were sent in in the evening with
the object of teaching the enemy a lesson. The Russians, however,
had made the best use of the interval, and, collecting regular
troops, had posted them in favom-able positions among the houses.
When near the shore, the British boats were suddenly surprised by a
withering fire from both guns and small arms, and quickly suffered
considerable loss. A prompt reply was made ; but the enemy was
so concealed as to be almost invisible, and, after an hour's Iiol
action, it was found necessary to withdraw. The attacking force
was obliged to leave a boat, with its gun and crew,^ in the hands
of the foe, and, in addition, lost twent3'-six officers and men Idiled
and wounded.'- The failure was due to ignorance of the Eussian
strength, and to an exaggerated estimate of the importance of the
destruction of a few stores. Operations of the kind should never
be attempted without adequate knowledge, and due consideration of
the price that may have to be paid to attain a given result.
Other vessels made raids of the same kind, but with less disas-
trous results. On May 19th, Captain Hastings Keginald Yelvertou,
in the Arnxjant, 4(), screw, willi tlie Hcchi, (i, paddle. Captain
William Hutcheou Hall, while examining the channel near Tever-
minue, was fired at from behind a sandbank, but easily dispersed
the enemy. He then learnt that at Isckness, eight miles to tlie
northward, lay three large mercliantnicii willi cargoes on Ijoard. On
the following uioi'niug, the two vessels, the Hecla leading, cautiously
felt their way thitlier through narrow and intricate passages, and,
while going up, were met l)y a fire from live lieid-guns and a
' Tliis boat, umlci' Jlatu .\'ulli;iuii;l JaiiiL's Aluri)Iiy, had "J.") iiicu on board.
- Including Lieutenant Edward Minray Winter Carriiijitoii, Mate Charles Frederick
llornian Montagu, and Mids. ■ .\tlinrpc, killed.
VOL. VI. -2 K
418 MII.ITAL'Y 1I1ST0HY OF THE IIOYAL XJYY, 1816-1856.
mortar. The Arror/aiif, though she ran aground, finally dismounted
two, and the Hecla three of these, the latter being brought off.
Pushing on to Eckness, the two Captains came in view of their
quarry. While Yelverton engaged the defences and troops, the
Hecla ran alongside the only one of the merchantmen that was
afloat, and, taking her in tow, carried her off. On their return,
the ships were met by the Dauntless, 33, screw, Captain Alfred
Phillips Eyder, which had been sent up to ascertain the cause of
the firing ; but her assistance was not required. They rejoined the
fleet on May '21st, off Hango Head. In this affair, the Arrogant
had 2 killed and 4 wounded; and the Hecla, .5 wounded, including
Captain Hall, and Lieutenant Offley Malcolm Crewe Eead. Lieu-
tenant Henrj' Vachell Haggard, in addition to the officers already
named, was specially mentioned as having distinguished himself.^
Two days later, on May 2'2nd, the Dragon, 6, paddle. Captain
James Willcox, was ordered to tvj the effect of her guns on Fort
Gustafvard, an island work, mounting 31 guns, south-east of
Hango Head, the neighbourhood of which had previously been
partially examined and buoyed by Captain Bartholomew James
Sulivan. The Dragon opened at a distance of about 1600 yards,
and made excellent practice ; but the enemy soon got the range
of her. She should not have been sent in alone to engage so
powerful a fort, and presently the Yice-Admiral ordered her to be
supported by the Magicienne, 16, paddle, Captain Thomas Fisher,
and Basilisk, 6, paddle, Commander the Hon. Francis Egerton ;
but ere both of them could be got into position by Captain Sulivan,
who had the placing of them, the signal of recall was made. The
Dragon had one man killed and another wounded, and, besides many
shot in her hull, received one close to her shell-room under water.
On the same day the Hecla fired a few rounds into a fort hard
by mounting 11 guns, but sustained no damage. These attacks
were ill-judged and useless. If made at all, they should have been
made at long range, and by overwhelming force. Says Sulivan : —
" I had advised 2200 yards, ar.d it was entirely his " (George Biddlecombe, Master
of the Fleet's) " oavh doiog that the distance was altered. The poor chief is really too
shaky, nervous, and borne down by resjiousibiUty, to have such a charge on him. He J,
lias no plans or system ; but the impulse of tlie moment alone guides him ; and I trust
we may have no serious thing to do, requiring careful plans and system."' -
Nevertheless, the lesson seems to have made no great impres-
' Yelverton to Xajiier : Xajner to Admlty., !May 20th : Sulivan, 160. - Sidivan, 158.
T
I
1854.]
AintlVAL OF 1EE FRENCH FLEET.
419
sion upon Napiei*. In the early daj^s of June, Bomarsund, the chief
fortress in the Aland Islands, was reconnoitred by Captain Sulivan,
the survej'or, in the Light ninrj, 3, paddle, with the Driver, G, paddle,
Commander the Hon. Arthur Auckland Leopold Pedro Cochrane,
and was found to be immensely strong.' Sulivan believed that
" an attack by ships would be attended by a loss and risk too great
to warrant the attempt, unless aided by a sufficient land-force to
assist, first carrying the tower- by assault or by regular approaches."
This view was px'actically the one which was ultimately adopted
and acted upon ; but not, as will be seen, until an ineffectual attack
had been made by ships onlj'.
In the meantime Vice-Admiral Parseval-Deschenes had quitted
France on April 20th with eight sailing ships of the line, six sailing
frigates, and three steamers, having on board 2500 men belonging
to the marine infantry and artillery ; but he was unable to join
Napier, who was then in Baro Sound, until June 13th. The com-
bined fleets, including all craft which had then assembled, anchored
together in the Sound, as follows : —
BiuTisii.
Fkexch.
Guns.
' Duke of Wellington . . 1 .S I
St. Jean d'Acre 101
Frincess Uoijal Ml
Foyid Gmrcje lUO
James Watt ill
Nile :il
Cmsar Ill
Majestic i)l
Cressi/ KO
Edi)ihuri/li GO
Blenlieim GO
llofjue fiO
^Ajax GO
Neptune lliO
Guns.
UO'
100
100
St. (jeorr/e
Frince Ilef/enf
Monarch.
Boscau;en
, Cumberland .
' Fcnelojie.
Mai/irieitnc .
Basilisk
Driller .
Porcupine .
Fill my . .
Lifllihiinii, surv.
Allian,nurv..
, Belleisle, liosp. ,
IL'O
ilO
S4
70
70
IC
I h)flejihlc
Dtifjuesclin
'J'<i;/e
I/i-rcule
■leiiimapcs 100
Jlrcslau 90
Ditperre 80
Trident 80
Si'iitiUanle ..... GO
Andromaque GO
Vengeance 60
Foursuiuanfe .... 50
Virginie 50
Xihiohie 50
Aitsterlitz 100 »
Darien .
Fhh'giHhori
liUcifir.
Sijii/lleur
Milan . .
14
lO-'
(i
(i
4-'
1 Flag of V.-A(l. Parseval-Desclu^nos.
- VWf of U.-Ail. IVnaii.l.
3 Preceded V.-Ad. I'ai-scviii-Descbcue.t.
-Vo/f. Napier moiitiniiK only seven Hull of tlie line,
oniittlnj; tlie /Irtglini, wldcli bccnis to have Joined n
littU' later than the rest.
' 'Baltic Cam]iaif;n,' .'i33.
' i.e., the prinsipal work, piuliably. Tlic Iaii;u lull muuntod Hi; guns in casemates.
There were also, hiiwever, three ' towers,' each jjioreed for 24 guns. Sulivan, IGO.
2 E 2
420 MILITAliY HISTORY OF THE llOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Ou June 'ilst, the Hecla, Odin, and Valorous, of liear-Admiral
Plumridge's squadron, were sent in, in spite of what had already
happened, to shell the main fort at Boiuarsund. They succeeded in
burning part of the wooden roof of the building ; but as that existed
only to keep off snow in winter, the damage done was incom-
mensurate with the value of the shot and shell expended. Below
the wooden roof the top of the work was bomb-proof. The ships
left off firing for want of shell, and retired with five men wounded.
It was on that occasion that Mate Charles David Lucas, of the
Hecla, flung overboard a live shell that fell on deck. He was
deservedly promoted to be a Lieutenant, as from the day of the
attack, for his bravery, and, later, became one of the first recipients
of the Victoria Cross. On the same daj', Plumridge rejoined
Napier.
The next movement of the fleets was towards Cronstadt. On
Jime '2'2nd, Eear-Admiral Corry, with nine sail of the line, a frigate,^
and five or six steamers, was left to blockade Sweaborg, while
Napier and Parseval-Deschenes, with twelve screw, and six sailing
line of battle ships, and nine smaller steam-vessels, weighed to
reconnoitre the great Baltic stronghold.
From the '24th to the '26th the allied fleets lay at anchor off'
Seskar Island, near the eastern end of the Gulf of Finland. On the
latter day, while the larger ships remained about eight miles off'
Tolboukin lighthouse. Captain Bartholomew James Sulivan was
given charge of a flj'iug squadron of three steamers," which went
in to observe the Eussian fleet and batteries. Captain Rimdle Bm-ges
Watson, in the Imperieuse, with the Arrogant and Desperate,
keeping near at hand as a support. Oir the following day Sulivan
was joined by the French steamer PhUgethon.
"There are," wrote Sulivan, "only sixteen sail of the line, and a heavy frigate,
i-eady outside, and one in the basin. There are three more, as block-ships, to the
north-east, not rigged, and, beyond them, to the north-east, three frigates ready for
sea, and two frigates and one corvette block-ship. There is also one two-decker in
dock. . . . They have also in line this evening thirteen heavy gunboats. . . . Their
ships look rather slummy in their appearance ; and, as they caimot evidently make up
more than seventeen or eigliteeu sail of the line, it is impossible for them to come out
Our English screw-ships alone could destroy them. They are all placed to resist an
attack, and evidently think of nothing else. The channel is certainly formidable, and
quite impregnable.""
' Besides two French frigates.
- Liijldniiig, Capt. B. J. Sulivau; Magicienne, Capt. Thomas Fisher; and Bulldog,
Ca])t. William King Hall.
5 Sulivan, 189.
1854.] PliErARATlONS AGAINST BOMARSUND. 421
Napier's conclusions, as given to Sir .Tames Graham, were: —
" Any attack un Cioiistadt liy shiiis is entirely impracticable. lu goiug in to tlie
south tlie batteries are most formiilable — all constructeil of solid masonry; they are
three and four-deckers of stone instead of wood, and shijis going in would be raked by
them the moment tliey came under fire, and would be sunk before they reached the
ships, which are placed with their bioadsides bearing also on the passage. ... 1 now
turn to the north side of Cronstadt. That is certainly the weakest point. A landing
might be made on the island of any number of men, and the ti>\vn besieged : but you
must expect the Kussians will always outnumber you. If you fail, your arnij' would
be lost; and, if you succeed, it would probably be starved during the long winter. 1
presume, therefore, tliat will net be tlicnight of. It may, however, be bombarded."'
Upon the whole, it was wisely decided not to attempt anything
of importance against Cronstadt ; and it was determined, though
not perhaps with equal wisdom, to make an attack upon the Aland
Islands.
During that period, and for some time afterwards, the usefulness
of the British fleet in the Baltic was seriously hampered not only
by Napier's age and moral timidity, but also by the relative im-
mobility of the French contingent, which, so far as its fighting ships
were concerned, consisted almost exclusively of sailing vessels. On
the one hand, it was deemed advisable, in the interests of inter-
national good feeling, that the French should, if possible, be given a
share in every adventure. Indeed, Parseval-Deschfenes said that if
there should be any action while he and his fleet were out of the
way, " all the paving-stones in Paris would not be enough to throw
at his head." ' On the other hand, all movements were delayed by
the necessity which existed for towing the great French sailing ships
of the line. Ncvt^r, perhaps, was the immense importance of homo-
geneity in a fleet more clearly illustrated. Cholera had broken out
on board the ships, and, as the waters in the neighbourhood of
Cronstadt were supposed to be "pestiferous," - the fleets withdrew
to Bare Hound, westward of Sweaborg, where they anchored on
July Bth. There they waited, while Rear-Admiral Plumridge, with
a slightly reinforced squadron, blockaded Bomarsund ; and while
10,000 French troops, under General Baraguay d'Hilliers, in British
and I'^nnich transports, were sent northwards, to be employed in
the projected ()])crations. This corps sailed from oil Calais on July
•J'ind. On July iKtli, tlu; combined fleets moved from Baro Sound
towards Ledsund, which was reached on the '21st. There, In-
August ."Jtii, all transports, with troops, munitions and slon>s, had
' Sulivaii, U)3. » Napier, ii. 268.
422 ]\1ILITAIIY niSTOHr OF THE llOYAL NAVY, 1S1G-1S5G.
assembled ; and, Baraguay d'Hilliers, who had preceded his com-
mand, having ah-eady reconnoitred Bomarsmid, all was ready for
the attack.
The Aland Islands consist of a group of 280 rocks and islets,
about 200 of which are uninhabited. They enclose a perfect laby-
rinth of channels most difficult to navigate. The islands had been
Swedish until 1809, when they had been taken by Eussia, which, to
protect its conquest, had erected on the largest of the islands, com-
manding Lumpar Bay, in the strait separating Aland from Presto,
the strong fortress of Bomarsmid. The fortress itself, in 1854,
formed the segment of a circle, having a chord about a quarter of a
mile in length, and presenting to the roadstead a casemated battery
of 120 guns, in two tiers. The s}"stem of defence was made com-
plete Ijy a series of works commencing on the heights behind, the
chief work on the north being Fort Nottich, and the chief one on
the west being Fort Tzee, each moimting 14 guns. To the south-
west was an unfinished new fort, and, nearly south of it, on Tranvik ♦■
Pomt, was a 7-gun battery. The works were continued across the m
water, on a chain of islets, to Presto, where stood another 14-gun f
fort, nearly north-west of the main fortress, and somewhat less than
a mile distant from it.^ All the forts were of gi'anite, with guns in
two tiers ; and they were held by about 2500 men. The plan on the
opposite page will further explain the nature of the position.
The ordinary channel, leading from the fleets" anchorage at
Ledsund to Lumpar Bay, was commanded by the fire of the \
Russians; but by the exertions of Captain Sulivan, of the Light- »
niiifi, and of Commander Henry Charles Otter, of the Alba it, an
uncommanded channel between Lumpar and Ango Islands was
discovered and surveyed ; and on July 28th the squadron of Eear-
Admiral Chads " was taken tkroiigh the sinuous and diiiticult passage,
without the use of buoys or marks. Other vessels, both French and
British, passed up later.
On August 6th, the fortress was reconnoitred within 600 yards.
On the 8th, near the southern extremity of Tranvik Point, the
French army ^ under the protection of the guns of the Edinburgh
and Diqxrre, was landed, while a battalion of Koyal Marines, and 90
British sappers and miners under Brig. -General Jones, with 2000
' ' Baltic Campaign,' 338 : Sulivan, 22'2 : Chevalier, 233.
- Editihunjh, Hague, Amphion, Blenheim, Ajax.
^ Reinforced bv 2000 French marines.
1854.]
.1 TTA CK U X B OM A 1! ti UNI).
423
French Marines, were simultaneously disembarked at a point about
two miles north of the fortress. On the same day the 7-gun battery
near the southern landing-place was attacked and destroyed by the
Ainpliiitn and PhlnjrtlKni , Napier, with his flag temporarily in the
Bullddii, watching the operations. The landing of three short 32 -pr.
naval guns, four field-guns from the ships, and a rocket tube, on the
Ccgerbij
llo.MAllSl'Nl), 1S54.
(From * Life and IjUtrf of Sir B. J. Suitvnn^ It;/ hiiiil iicrniifiHion o'' Mr. Joint Murray.)
loth, was superintended by Kear-Adrairal Chads, whose people had
to drag them for four miles and a half over execrable ground to the
point which had been selected as the site for the British battery (see
])lan). In this arduous work, Captains George llamsay {Eiiri/dlii.i),
and llichard Strode Hewlett {Ed'uihitrah), and Connnander George
William Preedy {Duke of WcHiiiijlini), specially distinguished them-
424 MILITARY l/ISrOIir OF THE nOYAL NAVY, :816-1856.
selves. The French, ou Tranvik Point, had fifty horses to help drag
their guns (four long 16-prs., and four 13-inch mortars) to their
station, 450 yards west of Fort Tzee.
On the lOth, while pilssing the fortress, the Penelope, 16, paddle,
Captain James Crawford Caffin, went ashore under the enemy's
fire, and had to throw her guns overboard ere, much mauled by the
enemy's red-hot shot, she could be floated off. She was struck
twenty-one times, and had '2 men killed and 3 wounded. The Hecla,
Gladiator, J'aIo>viis, and Pigiiii/, with boats, went to her assistance,
and also suffered somewhat. Happily no blame was atti'ibuted to
Captain Caffin.^
On the 11th more guns were landed from the fleet, and sent
up to the British battery, in charge of parties of "200 men under
Lieutenants Donald M'Leod Mackenzie (Edinburgli), Thomas Davies
(•2) (Hogue), George Henry Clarke (Blenheim), and Walter James
Pollard (Aja.r) respectively. The French batterj', being read}' early
on the 13th, began firing without waiting for the British ; and on the
same evening Fort Tzee was abandoned. In consequence. General
Jones's battery - was turned against Fort Nottich. It opened on
the 1.5th at 950 yards, and breached the place in eight hours.
Nottich then surrendered. The British naval loss was only 1 killed
and 1 wounded. The eneiuy had 6 killed and 7 wounded : and
125 prisoners were taken.
In the meantime Captain the Hon. Frederick Thomas Pelham,
of the Blenheim, had landed a 10-inch pivot gun, and mounted it
amid the ruins of the 7-gun battery which had been destroyed on
the 8th. He^ made excellent practice against the main fortress,
and, though he occupied a position of some danger, escaped without
loss. On the 16th, when the French had established themselves
on Presto Island, and were nearly ready with the whole of their
breaching battery, a heavy fire was opened by Pelham, who was
supported by the French mortars on shore, by the French squadron,
and occasionally by the 10-inch gtms of the Edinburgh, Ajax, Arro-
gant, Amphion, Valorous, Sj^hinx, and Driver. No great amount of
' For an account of the origin of the mishap, see Salivau, 212.5.
' The battery was manned by seamen and Marine artillerymen nnderCapt. William
Ramsay, Com. Georce William Preedy, Lieuts. Leveson Eliot Henry Somerset, George i
Foster Burgess, and ilorgan Singer, Capts. (R.]\I.) Henr\- Edward Dclacombe, Thomas |j«
Dudlej' Fosbroke, William Lawrence Sayer, and Peter Brames NoUoth (Brev i,i
Maj.), etc. '.
' With Capt. Pelham were Lieut. Francis Arden Close, and (actg.) Mate Leveson
Wildman, both of whom were favourably mentioned.
1854.] CAL'TUUE OF BOMARSUND. 425
damage was done to the fortress ; but the ofticer in command, General
Bodisco, perceived that his position was desperate ; and, at about
mid-day, he exhibited a white flag. Captain William King Hall, oi
the Bulldog, and Commander de Surviile, Parseval-Deschenes's aide-
de-camp, with two of the French general's staff, were sent ashore to
parley, and, as a result, it was agreed that the gamson should lay
down its arms. The capitulation of Bomarsund was immediately
followed by the surrender of the fort of Presto. Prisoners to the
number of 22.5.5 were taken, and were divided between the alhes,
the British share being sent at once to Ledsund, whence they were
conducted to the Downs by Commodore the Hon. Frederick William
Grey, C.B., of the Hannibal, 90, screw.^ The dispatches announcing
the success were carried home by Napier's Flag-Lieutenant, John
de Courcy Andrew Agnew, who was, in consequence, made a Com-
mander on August 23rd. Among other promotions immediately con-
sequent on the capture of Bomarsund were those of Commanders the
Hon. Arthur Auckland Leopold Pedro Cochrane and Henry Charles
Otter, to be Captains, and of Lieutenants Donald M'Leod Mackenzie,
George Henry Clarke, Thomas Davies (2), and Francis Arden Close,
to be Commanders. Bomarsund was destroyed, after Sweden had
refused to accept it." Subsequent movements on the part of the
fleets caused the Eussians to blow up their fortifications at Hango.^
Directions were despatched to Napier on Aiigust 2'.)th, and to
Parseval-Deschenes on August l-30th, ordering a retirement from the
Baltic. Napier had previously sent the Odin, Alban, Gorcjon, and
Driver to reconnoitre Abo ; and, as he considered that it might be
successfully attacked, he asked the French Vice-Adniiral to join him
in the entei-prise. The latter, however, refused, on account of the
badness of the weather. Keval, Sweaborg, and Hango were also
reconnoitred. ^\'ith respect to Sweaborg, Brig. -General Jones
thought that it might be taken by combined sea and land opera-
tions, while the French General Niel was of opinion that the fleets
alone could render it untenable in less than two hours. ^ On Sep-
tcnilier 12th, Napier received from home a dispatch which allowed
him a certain amount of discretion as to the time of withdrawal :
and he at once met Vice-Adinii-a! I'lirscval-Dcsclienes, and llear-
' .\apirr ti> Adinlty., Aii^. llth, .\11.4. Ifitli (2): Naul. Mui/., IS")-!, IIW: \;i|.iiT.
ii. 282: Siilivan, 22.'!.
" Napier, 21)1 : ' Bailie Campaign,' 3i).").
■•' SulivaB,216.
' ' Baltic Campaign,' 419.
426 MinTAny iiistouy of the hoyal navy, isig-isuG.
Admirals Penaud, Chads, and Se\-mour/ in order to discuss the idea
of undertaking further operations. It was then decided unanimously
that, owing to the lateness of the season, nothing could that year be
attempted against Sweaborg or any fortitied Baltic port, save at
great risk. On September 17th, by which date some of the French
ships had begun to go home, Napier received a further dispatch,
asking for opinions on General Niel's plan for attacking Sweaborg
with ships alone. Parseval-Deschenes saw no reason to modify his
views, and declined to attend further councils of war; and, although
Napier again reconnoitred Sweaborg on September 23rd, and sent
home a report " which was intended to facilitate operations in 1855,
he did not attack. Towards the end of the month Parseval-
Deschenes ^ went home. Napier himself still remained, chiefly off
Nargen ; but, on September ^Tth, he sent part of the fleet, under
Plumridge, to Kiel.
British expectations had not been satisfied by the work of the
Baltic fleet in 1854. Napier was, perhaps, a weak officer in his old
;ige, and may have been blameworthy ; but the Admiralty of that day
was far weaker, in that it allowed itself to be forced by disappointed
pubhc opinion into inviting the Commander-in-Chief, at that late
period, to undertake a veutm-e which he and his colleagues had
declared to be unfeasible a month earlier. On October 4th, there
was sent to him a dispatch recommending him to choose a day
and opportunity for an attack on Sweaborg, and containing the
following passages : —
" Yiiu .iiitiuipate au att.ick by the Kussian tieet, it' iijauy of your vessels are crippled
or destroyed. W'e are always reniinded that the Russians are most miwilliug to
navigate the tiulf of Finland in line-of-battle ships when autumn has commenced ; and
Cronstadt is always locked up by ice fourteen days before Sweaboi'g is closed. The
attack, therefore, on Sweaborg might be made towards the end of October, with least
danger of attack from the Cronstadt portion of the Kussinn lieet. . . . This order is
founded on your own last report. The final decision must rest entirely ou yourself.
If the attack on Sweaborg, in present circumstances, be desperate, it must on no account
be undertaken by yovi. If, calculating the ordinary chances of war, and on full con-
sideration of the strength of the enemy's fortress and fleets, you shall be of opinion
that Sweaborg can be laid in ruins, it will be your duty, with the concurrence of the
French Admiral, not to omit the opportunity."
The responsibility was thus left to Napier. The Admiralty had
' Rear-Adnis. Plumridge, and Ucmy Byam Martin, CIS. (who had succeeded
R.-Adm. Corry), were at tlie time absent on detached service.
- Napier, 303.
^ His first service had been in the llaceidaurc, at Trafal;j;ar. Ou Dec. 2nd, 18ui,
he was raised to the rank of Admiral.
I
ISfjI.] THE lEAWH WUlIK J.\ THE BALTIC. 427
been induced to send him the order, partly bj- popular clamour, and
partly by the receipt of an unfounded report that Sebastopol had
fallen before au attack by the Black Sea fleet. Plumridge had been
told to hm-ry back ; Parseval-Deschenes had been directed to post-
pone his departure ; when, on October 9th, having learnt that
Sebastopol had not fallen, the Admiralty ordered Napier not to
attack Sweaborg. It is scarcely sm-prising that the Connnander-in-
Chief lost his temper.^ Having quitted Nargen on October 19th,
he reached Kiel on the GSnd, leaving only a few ships to the north-
ward under Captain Kundle l^urges Watson, of the Imperieusc : but
not mitil December 4th, when there was danger of its being frozen
in, was the fleet ordered to be wholly withdrawn for the winter.
On December 16th, Napier anchored at Spithead, and on the 18th
he had a stormy interview with Sir James Graham. He was
immediately, and rather cvu'tly, directed to strike his flag ; nor
did he succeed in obtaining any public inquiry into his conduct.
By way of protest he refused promotion to the highest class of
the Bath.'-
Such was the first year's campaign in the Baltic. Beyond the
destruction of Bomarsund, and the blockade of Kussian ports, it
effected little or nothing. The fiasco may be attributed to three
principal causes — causes which also influenced the results elsewhere.
Firstly, the officers then available for responsible commands were,
almost without exception, far too old to sustain the anxieties and
fatigues of naval warfare under steam, withoiit rapidly losing their
efficiency. Secondly, there was at headquarters a conspicuous lack
of information concerning the enemy's dispositions. And thirdly,
even liitd the enemy's dispositions been fully known to the Ad-
miralty, tiie fleet was materially incapable of doing the jx^culiar kind
of work which the situation deniiinded. The commands of Napier
and I'arseval-Deschenes in the north, ami nl 1 >undas and Hamelin
in the south, were made up mainly of craft of the heaviest draught
and armament, and largely of sailing ships with necessarily limited
' See his letters of Oct. lOtli ;inil '.'Tth t.itl.c .\ilMiiraUy.
' Niipier to Sir Clias. Wodd, July ")ili, ls,"),'>: to II.H.II. I'riiico Alliori, cf the same
date. Lord Palmerston, sjicaking on tlic Navy ERtimatcs, \H'ti\, took a view diflereut
from tliat of (iraliam. "In my o]]ini(rii," siiid lie, "it is only due to liim (Na]iier) to
say that notliini; has occurred in the covir.so of the last year which, in tiie slightest
degree, diminishes the liigh character which lie has attained in the service of his
country. . . . He secured the country against all the evils which might have arisen
if the Baltic fleet of llussia had been permitted to quit its ports and scour the sea . . . .'
428 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE UOYAL NAVY, I8I6-I80G.
powers of maHoeuvring in narrow waters. In the first j'ear of
the war, neither Great Britain nor France was able to employ
light-dranght steam gunboats, and bomb or mortar vessels, because
neither Power possessed au3'thing of the sort. Yet such vessels were
absolutely i-equisite for effective operations in the baj^s, and among
the islands, of the Baltic, and in the shallow outlying parts of the
Black Sea. In the following years hiindreds of craft of the kind
were hurriedly and wastefully built or purchased. Scores of them,
nevertheless, were not ready until long after they had ceased to
be pressingly needed. Had there been less ignorance at head-
(]uarters, and had the allied navies been full}' prepared for any wori<
which might have been thrust upon them, it is certain that the
struggle would have been far briefer, far less costly, and far more
decisive than it actually was.
On yet two other scenes of action there were operations of some
importance during the summer of 1854. ^
Almost immediately after the outbreak of war. Captain Erasmus
Ommanney, in the Eunjdicc, 2(5, was despatched to the White Sea,
with the Miranda, 14, screw, Captain Edmund Moubray Lyons,
and the Brisk, 14, screw, Commander Frederick Beauchamp Paget J
Seymour. The object in view was a blockade of the Russian ports ;
but, in order as much as possible to spare British and French
property in neutral bottoms, the blockade was not regularly enforced
imtil August 1st. In the meantime, however, several Eussian
merchantmen were captm-ed, and a certain amount of damage was
done. Archangel was considered to be too strong for attack by so
small a force ; but on July 18th, while the Miranda and Brisk were
rounding Solovetskoi island, it was perceived that troops with
artillery were stationed in the woods there. A shot was fired to
dislodge them, and they returned it. At midnight the vessels
anchored off Solovetskoi monastery, where next morning it was seen
that the enemy was throwing up batteries. After unavaihng
negotiations, the ships weighed at 8.20 a.m., and soon afterwards
opened fire. A smart action followed, the Russians replying from
a batteiy, from two towers of the monastery, and, Math small-arms,
from the beach. By 11.20 a.m. the enemj' began to desert his
positions ; but he returned later, only to be again driven awaj'.
Fire, however, continued until 6 p.m., by which time red-hot shot,
shell, and musketry had silenced all opposition. The British loss
appears to have been but one killed and one wounded. On July 31st
J(
1854.] OPERATIONS IS TlIK WHITE SEA. 429
a landing was effected on Shay ley islaiul, where the public buildings
were burnt, and nine guns were taken or destroyed.
On August 23rd, Master George Williams, of the Miranda,
buoyed the passage up to Kola ; and Lyons then took his ship off
the town, and anchored her at G.30 a.m. in five fathoms. The
place, in spite of its lonely and remote situation, was fortified, and
contained large storehouses. Lieutenant Cecil William Buckley,
under a flag of truce, went to demand a sui'i'ender ; and very earlj-
on the •24th, no answer having been returned, the Miranda opened
fire, the Russians briskly replying.
" The aluct!,'' saya Lyons in his dispatch, " were shortly dismounted, and the
battery reduced to ruins : but, although our shells burst well into the loopholed houses
and stockadeG, an obstinate lire of musketry was kept up from various parts of the
town. This allowed me no alternative; and I was obliged to destroy it. It was soon
in flames from our shell and red-hot shot, and burned furiously, being fanned by a
fresh breeze. The ship, at this time, became critically situated. The violence of the
tide caused her to drag the bower and stream anchors, and the two kedges laid out to
spring her broadside ; and, the passage being too narrow for her to swing, she grounded
at less than three hundred yards from the burning town, fragmentB from which were
blown on board. However, by keejiing the sails, I'igging and decks well wetted until
the ship was liove off, no bad conseipicnces ensued."
During part of the action, a landing-party under Lieutenant
John Francis Campbell Mackenzie, and actg. Mate Charles William
Manthorp, rendered admirable service on shore. By 7.30 a.m. on
the 24th, the work of destruction was complete.' In the early
autiman the sc[uadron returned to England.
In the China and Japan seas, at the beginning of the war, the
Kussian Eear-Admiral Poutiatin had under his orders the Pallas, 60,
Aurora, 44, and Dwina, 12. The British force on the station was
under Ilear-Admiral ]):ivid Price, and consisted of the President, 50
(flag), Captain Richard Burridge, Pique, 40, Captain Sir Frederick
William Erskine Nicolson, Bart., Anqihitritc, 24, Captain Charles
l<'r('dci-ick, Trincomalec, 24, Captain Wallace Iloustoun, and
VinKjd, (■>, paddle. Commander Edward INIarsliull. 'I'he Frencli
Rear-Admiral Febvrier-Despointes had at his disposal the Foriv, (iO
(flag), Eurijdicc, 30, Arteinise, 30, and Oblie/ado, 18. Poutiatin was,
of course, helpless at sea against such a force ; and tliereforc he
sent the Pulhts fur u]) tlic river .Vnuu-, and utilised lier people in
reinforcing the weak garrisons on the littoral. The Aurora and
DiritiK took refuge in Petropaulovski, on the peninsula of Kamt-
' Ollicer's letter in Tyrrell's ' Uislorv,' i. 201.
430 MILITAHY niSTOm' OF THE liOYAL KAVY, 1S1C-1S5G.
cbatka, a post against which it was foreseen that the alhes would
prol)ably attempt operations.
Price and Febvrier-Despoiutes, after having detached the Ainjjhi-
trite, Artemise, and Trincomcdee to cruise for the protection of trade
off the coasts of Cahforuia, went in search of the Russians, and, on
August '28th, sighted the shores of Kamtchatka. On the following
day they entered Avalska Ba}', at the head of which lies Petropaul-
ovski. The Russians had worked very energetically at the defences
of the roadstead. They had supplemented the pre-existing fort
with numerous well-placed works, and had stationed the Aurora
behind a sand spit,^ where she could not be reached so long as the
batteries remained unreduced. Yet, although the position was
immensely and obviously formidable, the allied commanders under-
rated its strength. Their appearance was received with shots from
the defences ; and they returned the fire, but from too great a
distance for it to be effective. On August 30th, they drew nearer
in, and were beginning action, when Price, an officer too old, perhaps,
for his work, but with a distinguished record, lost his head in the
most unaccountable way, and, retiring to his cabin, shot himself.
The direction of the British contingent devolved upon Nicolson ;
but the shocking event naturally led to the suspension of operations
until the following morning, when the attack was resumed. On
the 31st, at 8 a.m. the President, Pique, and Forte took up positions
and opened fire on the nearest of the defences — three batteries
mounting respectively three, five, and eleven guns. With the
assistance of a landing-part}- from the Virago, the 3-gun battery,
on the right, was silenced, its pieces were spiked, and the gun-
carriages and platforms were destroyed; but, upon the Aurora dis-
embarking 200 men to retake the battery, the Virago's party was ■
withdrawn to the sloop. Later in the day the five-gira and the
eleven-gun battery- were silenced ; but, in the night, the works were
all repaired.
On September "ind the body of Rear-Admiral Price was taken in I
the Virago to Tariuski Bay for burial. During her absence, the
sloop picked up three American seamen, deserters from whalers.
These men volunteered certain information — whether deliberately
treacherous or merely mistaken will never be known — and, in con-
sequence of this, it was decided at a council of war to attempt a
landing with the object of seizing the town and taking the batteries
' On the spit was an 11-gun battery.
1854.] REPULSE AT PETllOPAULOVSKl. 431
ill reverse. Accordingly', at about 8 a.m. on September 4tb, a body
of 700 seamen and Marines, under Captains Burridge and de La
Grandiere {Eunjdice), was disembarked on a low part of the
peninsula, after two protecting batteries, one of five and the other
of seven guns, had heen silenced bj' the fire of the President,'^ Forte,
and Virago. Above the landing-place rose a wooded hill. The
Russians who held it were driven back ; one of the two batteries,
which had been abandoned, was rendered useless ; and the hill was
carried, though with difficulty. But, on endeavouring to advance
along the summit, which was covered with l)rushwood and brambles,
the expeditionary force, under the guidance of one of the American
deserters, became a target for Russian sharpshooters who were
almost invisible, and whose fire was veiy deadly. There were many
casualties. In heading a charge against the concealed foe. Captain
Charles Allan Parker, R.M., fell dead. It was presently seen that
to persist was to compromise the safety of the column ; and a
retreat to the shore was ordered. It was carried on in much
confusion, hi the course of it there were further losses, many of
which were occasioned by the very rough nature of the ground over
which the withdrawal had to be carried out. En; tluni- ships could
be regained, 107 British and 101 French had been killed or wounded,
among the killed being Captain Parker, E.M., and among the
wounded Lieutenants Alleyne Bland, Edward Henry Howard, George
Palmer (3), and William George Hepburn Morgan ; Lieutenants
(R.M.) Edward Gough M'Callum and William Henry Clements ;
Mate George Eobinson (3), and Midshipman Louis Chichester.
The survivors returned on board at 10.4-') A. jr., and the ships at
once hauled out of range to attend to the wounded and to repair
damages. -
The unfortunate issue of this attack seems to have resulted as
much from the thoughtless rashness of the gallant leaders as from
their unwise confidence in the word of men who were confessedly
deserters. The spot chosen for a landing was one of the worst that
could have been selected, seeing that it was commanded by a hill,
and tlial, upon occupying the liill, llic lunding party ceased fo be
covered l;y the fire of the ships. Xoi', in all pi-obability, would any
landing have been attempted, had the allied commanders had ju-oiur
' While llie I'rcsiJaiit \v;is lliiis eiifja'^cil, a l!iis«ian sliot killoii or wdiindoil tin:
entire crew of one of Ler main-deck guns.
2 DisiiH. : OlT.'s letter in Xuiit. Ma,/., 1855, 50; Tyrrell, i. 3G0; ClicvaliiT, 210.
432 MILITARY ITISTOBT OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 181(5-1856.
information concerning the strength and dispositions of the enemy.
It must, however, be added that, in spite of the diihculties in their
way, both British and French behaved with great bravery.
The combined squadrons, while in the neighboiirhood, captured
and l)urnt a Russian transport, the Sitka, 10, and took a small
schooner, the Avutslca, laden with stores. They quitted the coast
on September 7th.
All the remaining naval operations of the year 1854 took place in
the Black Sea.
The disembarkation of the allied armies at Eupatoria has already
been described. Ou September 19th, flanked by the fleets, the
expeditionary corps began its march along the coast to the south
ward. At 11 A.M. the greater part of the fleet anchored ofi" the
mouth of the river Alma. At about 5 o'clock the army halted on
the banks of the river Bulganak in order to bivouac for the night.
A strong Russian force was then known to be posted upon the left
bank of the Alma ; and it was determined to attack it on the
following morning. An officer who was in the Budncij with the
fleet ofi' the mouth of the Alma writes : —
" Ou grassy heights to the soutliwaid, we saw a Uussiau army encamped. To the
north there was a range of low hills, the two eminences being separated by an ex-
tensive plain about four miles in width, which was occupied by a large force of the
enemy's artillery and cavahy, who crossed the ravine, at the foot of their position, in
which ran the little river." '
The Navy was able to take but very little share in the battle
of the Alma," which was fought ou September '20th. The ships had
previously made some endeavour to shell the rear of the left of the
Ilussian position ; but the range was too great for much result to
be produced. They afl'orded, however, great assistance, by landing
parties for the succour and removal of the wounded after the
action— a work which lasted for three days. Dundas detached for
the purpose all the boats of the fleet, nearly all his surgeons, and
600 seamen and Eoyal Marines.
It would have been the desire of one at least of the allied
Admirals ^ to proceed, immediately after the battle, to the entrance
' ' At Scliool and at Sea,' 324.
- Lieut. Samuel Hoskins Derriman, commauding the Caradoc, was attached to Lord
Raglan's stail" during the action ; and Lieut. Henry Carr Glyn, of the Britannia, was
also present officially with the army.
^ Dundas had this wish. Hamelin believed that the fleets could nut enter imtil
Fort Coustantine should have been taken. Brereton, 17 ; Chevalier, 191.
1H5I.] THE RUSSIANS SINK THEIR SHIPS. 433
of the harbour of Sebastopol, and, if posi?ible, to force it ; but the
fleets formed the only base for the forces which had beep landed ;
and it was considered undesirable to separate them from it. As
soon as the Eussians perceived that the advance along the coast
had not been checked, they took prompt measures to render the
mouth of their port impassable. On the night of September -i-ind,
Captain Lewis Tobias Jones, C.B., of the Samson, 6, paddle, which,
with the Terrible, reconnoitred the place, reported to Dundas that,
outside the boom which lay between Fort Constantine and Fort
Alexander, the enemy had moored five ships of the line and two
frigates. These appeared to be connected with one another by
chains and cables, and were so disposed as not to mask the guns of
the works. Between the second and third vessels, counting from
the southern, or Fort Alexander, end of the line, a narrow passage
was perceived to have been left for entrance or exit ; and thus,
although it could be seen that the whole of the Eussian Black Sea
fleet was still in port, it was made evident that the enemy had not
entirely relinquished the idea of making a sally. The intention pro-
bably was to take advantage of any opportunity that might offer for
attempting a dash at some of the numerous isolated craft which
were still moving daily between Varna and the Crimea.
On September '28rd, however, when the armies, flanked by the
fleets, resumed their advance to the southward, the enemy took a
step which indicated that, in spite of the guns of Constantine and
of Alexander, and the broadsides of the ships near the boom, he
feared that his harbour might be penetrated. He sank all seven of
the vessels in the channel. The step was, upon the whole, a sound
one. By blocking the entrance as he did, he not only freed himself
from all anxiety concerning the issue of a sudden attack from sea-
ward, but also released for the general purposes of the defence about
15,000 seamen, including many good gunners, while, at the same
time, he gained, for the armament of the new land forts which he
was erecting, an almost unhmited supply of heavy guns. Later, the
allies themselves might, no doubt, have sunk the ships near the
boom, 1ki(1 they so d(;sired ; but to sinlv tlieiii there would, of couise,
have blocked the passage as effectually as the Eussians themselves
blocked it. They would hardly, therefore, have risked loss in the
effort. To gain a real success at the mouth of the hai'bour, the
allies would have been obliged to caplinc the ships near the liooni.
and, instead of sinking them there, to tow them clear of the passage.
VOL. VI. 2 F
434 MILTTABY niSTOEY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 181G-1.S56.
Such an operation, looking to the fonnidable nature of the covering
forts, would scarcely have been attempted ; but, so long as the
vessels remained afloat, there was a bare possibility that it might
be. Had it succeeded, the defensibility of Sebastopol would have
been seriously impaired. The Eussians, therefore, did wisely in
rendering it impossible.
It had been decided by the generals at A^arna to attack Sebas-
topol, in the first instance, from the north, and to land the necessary
siege-train and supplies at the mouth of the Katcha ; liut it was soon
found that the fire of the advanced Eussian works on the north
covered the ground as far as the Belbek river, only five miles south
of the Katcha ; and that a great disembarkation of exceedingly
weighty material within so short a distance of the Eussian guns
would be a strategical mistake. It was therefore determined to
attack Sebastopol, in the first instance, from the south ; and, soon
after leaving the field of the Alma, the generals struck off to the
eastward in order to make the necessary turning movement. At
2 A.M. on the '24th, a message from Lord Eaglan reached Dundas,
who was then off the mouth of the Katcha, to the effect that the
armies were about to march romid the head of the harbour to the
southern side of the town ; and it was requested that he would
detach a squadron to take possession of Balaclava, which was to be
the point of disembarkation for the train and stores. Dundas at
once sent off Sir Edmund Lyons, with a division of steamers, to
make the desired seizure. It was at this time that Saint-Arnaud '
was obliged to give way to the illness from which he had long
suffered, and to resign his command to General Canrobert.
Lyons made for Balaclava ; and it was taken possession of
without much difficult}', as the troops drew near it from the north-
east on the 26th. ^ The small deep bay was almost immediately
filled with British transports ; and when the French Eear-Admiral
Charner, in the Napoleon, endeavoured to find an anchorage for his
huge flag-ship and her convoy, he had great difficulty in doing so.
It was at once seen that Balaclava harbour would not be roomy
enough to serve as base for both armies. Moreover, it was at an
' Saiut-Amaud died on Sept. 29th, 1854, in his fifty-tliird year.
' This timely co-operation of tlie Navy with the Army was facilitated by the activity
and enterprise of Lieut. Frederick Augustus Maxse, of the Afjami'innon, who, having
reached Raglan's camp on the Tchemaya on the night of the 25th with dispatches,
volunteered to return at once to Lyons in the dark through a hostile country. Raglan
to Newcastle, Sept. 28th. »See also Maxse's letter of Oct. 25th in the Times.
1K54.] LANDING OF THE NAVAL BRWAI>F.. 435
inconvenient distance from the positions which had been assigned in
the scheme of attack to the troops of France. A French base was,
therefore, sought, and found in Kamiesh Bay, close to Cape Cher-
.sonese. Ere the end of the month much siege material had been
put ashore both at Balaclava and at Kamiesh ; and, on September
'28th, impressed with the inadequacy of the armies for the work in
hand, and relieved from much of his anxiety by the manner in which
the Russians had destroyed seven of their ships, Dundas, who, with
Hamelin and the bulk of both fleets, remained off the Katcha,
issued an order for'the formation of a naval brigade to serve ashore
in the batteries. It was directed that each large ship should contri-
bute 200 officers and men, and a contingent of lower-deck or other
principal guns ; and that the other war vessels should contribute in
proportion. Each ship of the line sent ashore all her Marines,
except a few who remained for sentry-duty, and all her best seamen-
gunners, together with deck-awnings, spare canvas, spars, and half
her ammunition. In all, 2400 seamen, 2000 Roj'al Marines, and
.50 shipwrights, with 65 officers, and about 140 guns, were landed,
the command being entrusted to Captain Stephen Lushington, of
the Albion, 90. Among other officers of the brigade was Captain
William Peel, of the Diamond, 27, whose aide-de-camp was Mid-
shipman Evelyn Wood. The first naval camp was on a plain close
to the Woronzoff Koad, about two and a quarter miles IVoin the
head of the inner or Dockyard Harbour on the south side of
Sebastopol. The first work of the brigade was to drag up from
Balaclava guns, waggons of ammunition, and supplies, and to con-
struct battei'ies and platforms for the guns. In all these laliours
the good humour, keenness, resourcefulness, and handiness of the
seamen were so conspicuously displayed as to excite the admiration
of both armies. Seldom before had the Navy had so much to do
on land : and it seized the opportunity of making a new reputation
for itself.
In the meantime, on October 4lli, the Siiloii, 22, paddle. Captain
George Goldsmith, and the Injiexihle, G, paddle. Commander George
Otway Popplewell, created a diversion in another part of the Black
Sea by making an attack on Fort Nicolaieff ; and, on November 12th,
the Tribune, 31, screw, Captain the Hon. Swinfen Thomas Carnegie,
IfigJiflijer, 21, screw, Captain John Moore (4), and L!/n.r, 4, screw,
supported a landing-party which destroyed a maitello tower at
Djemetil, near Anapa.
2 V 2
436 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
The cholera was not so prevalent in September and October as it
had been earlier in the year in the Dobrudscha, and off Varna ; but at
Balaclava, afloat as well as ashore, it still caused much mortalitj' ;
and, unfortunately, this was in great part due to the almost total
neglect of sanitary precautions, and to the great discomfort which
existed among the troops, owing to the indifferent commissariat
ari'angements. The defective organisation was to some extent
remedied as the campaign went on; but few of the many much-
needed reforms were effected until after the severe winter of 185-4-5
had almost decimated the army. It had not been expected that
Sebastopol would hold out for long ; and no adequate provision
whatsoever had been made for the prosecution of one of the most
arduous and protracted sieges of modern times.
While preparations were being made for the opening of the
attack on Sebastopol, there happened an affair which, though in
itself trifling, was not without indirect importance, seeing that it
was generally interpreted in the allied fleets as a proof of the defec-
tive character of Russian gunnery. On October 11th, an Austrian
ship, laden with hay for the use of the British army, and bound from
the mouth of the Katcha for Balaclava, was carried by the current
so close to the entrance of Sebastopol harbour that, in order to avoid
going ashore there, she was obliged to pass under the fire of the forts
at a distance of not more than 1500 yards. The crew, believing that
their craft must inevitably be sunk, took to the boats, and escaped,
as soon as Fort Constantine opened. Presently the ship was sub-
jected to a perfect hail of shot ; but, although it is said that between
400 and 500 projectiles were aimed at her, she was struck by only
four ; and they did little damage. The Beagle, 4, screw, supported
by the Firebrand, 6, paddle. Captain WiUiam Houston Stewart,
approached the vessel as if to tow her out ; whereupon the Russian
fire waxed hotter than ever. The Firebrand was struck, and she and
the Beagle, temporarily commanded by Second Master Alexander
Fraser Boxer, did not then persist ; but, some hours later, after the
Austrian had gently grounded on the shore of Chersonese Bay, Cap-
tain Lewis Tobias Jones, in the Samson, with the Firebrand, Beagle,
and French launches, towed her out in safety. While ashore, she
was guarded by a detachment of French seamen from Kamiesh.'
The construction and arming of the first siege batteries occupied
a fortnight ; and it was not until October 16th that they were ready.
' Chevalier, 199 ; Dundas to Admlty., Oct. 13th.
1854.] THE FIRST BOMDAIlDMKXT OF SEBASTOPOL. 437
Vice-Admiral Dundas in the interim had employed some of his
steam-vessels in throwing shells at long range into several of the
Bussian works along the shore ; but such desultory attacks had been
discontinued at the request of Lord Kaglan, who beheved that they
disquieted the army.' Dundas had also sent the Leander, 50, Captain
George St. Vincent King, to Eupatoria to assist in the defence of
that town. Later he sent thither as well the Firebrand, and the
Vesuvius, w'ith other vessels.
On October ISth, Vice-Admirals Dundas and Hameliu, and the
Ottoman naval commander, Achmet Pacha, met on board the
Mogador, where Hamelin had temporarily hoisted his flag, to
concert measures, in response to the " ui-gent request" of the allied
generals, for the co-operation of the fleets in the opening bombard-
ment. Dundas was unwilling to give this co-operation. He would
gladly enough have met a hostile fleet ; but he was strongly of
opinion that it was not the business of wooden walls to pit them-
selves against stone ones.
" A naval attack," say.s Brereton, wlio, as Dundas's guest at the time, had the best
<ip|iortunity for knowing the A'ice- Admiral's views, "must be restricted to engaging
tlie forts at either side of the harbour. These works are of solid freestone in lai'ge
blocks; and on them were mounted guns of heavy calibre, firing from casemated tiers
of batteries, and batteries en barbette upon their summits. Moreover, they were flanked
by detached works so placed as to support the stone forts. If the fleets could be ex-
l>ected to damage ihera, the reciprocal action of the batteries defending the entrance of
the harbiiur might fairly be e.xiiected to disable the ships, sinking or destroying all, or
a great numlier. A large and still eifective Russian fleet was within the harbour. In
the event of the disaster ailverted to as possible, if not probable, what would be the
fate of the army, should the enemy conseqnently became masters of the sea, and
l)e enabled to cut ofi" the transports daily bringing provisions to tlie land forces? As
regarded the English Admiral, he could not fail to recollect how materially his strength
had been diminished by the aid given to the English army, amounting to one-third of
his crews, and one-half of his service ammunition." '
ChevaHer, wlm may be assumed to reflect the views of Hamelin,
says : —
"Admiral Hamelin i)robably shared the opinion of his colleague ; but, looking ti'
the situation in which tlie army was jilaced, and especially to the inferiority of its
artillery as compared with that of the enemy, he considered that the navy, leaving
ordinary rules aside, ought to neglect nothing which might facilitate the task of the
tniops. The Admiral also believed that, in taking such a course, he would be acting
in conformity with the wishes of his ollicers and men. . . . The navy, which had not
yet found occasion to take part in any warlike action of great importance, was animated
by a lively desire to have a fighting sliare in the success of the exixjdition. The
entrance to the p'Ut nf Sebastopol was impassable: the action of the navy was
necessarily limited ; it could have no other object than to cannonade the works facing
the sea ; and that ojieration would not bring about a decisive result ; but it would
' Brereton, L'ti. * Brereton, 23.
488 MILITARY HISTOHY OF THE IIOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
act as a diversion ; and it would oblige the enemy to man his sea batteries, and sO'
reduce the number of nrtiller\-men available for the niannint; of the works facing
landwards." '
111 short, while Duudas's imwilhnguess was dictated mainly by
reason and prudence, Hamelin's willingness arose mainly from &■
deliberate determination to sacrifice prudential considerations to
considerations of general tactical policy and of glory. But the
appeal from the military commanders was so pressing that Dundas
gave way. It was decided that the ships should be kept in move-
ment, delivering their fire successively ; and that those not in action
should form a reserve. All details of the attack were discussed and
decided ; and, on returning to his flagship, Dundas summoned his.
Captains to assemble in the Britannia, on the morning of the 16th,
to receive their final instructions. After he had given the instruc-
tions, he naturally supposed that all might be considered as defini-
tively arranged ; but, says Brereton —
" Xot so ; for at midnight of the same da)', October 16th, Admiral Dundas received
a visit from Admiral Hamelin, who, to the astonishment of the former, stated that he
had been directed by General Canrobert, at whose disposal he was, to alter the jilan of
attack entirely, the new arrangement being that his line-of-battle shijis were to anchor
across the month of the harboin-, and, from that position, to bombard the batteries.
The English Admiral was requested to make a suiiilar disposition of his scjuadron..
Admiral Dundas at once expressed his dissent from the proposed new arrangement,
strongly urged that the one so fully decided upon should be adhered to, and gave way
only upon its being represented that the French Admiral was absolutely under the-
control of the military commander-in-chief, that in any case he must comply with the
orders of that officer, and that the question resolved itself into whether he was to do
so without the co-operation of the English fleet. There was but one answer to such
an appeal." ^
Chevalier indicates that one of the reasons which influenced the
French in coming to the detemiination to engage at anchor was that
the ships had lost many men by death, and many more b}' invaliding,
and that these losses had never been made good, while, in addition,
1300 gunners and marine infantry had been landed, and guard-
boats had to be manned and detached to take care of the top-gallant,
masts and other spars which were put overboard in preparation for
action. Thus the vessels were deemed to be too short handed to
be properly handled under way, or to fight both broadsides simul-
taneousl}'. But Chevalier says nothing as to the sudden alteration
of plans, and leaves it to be supposed that the decision to engage at
anchor was the original one.* As for Hamelin, he says, in his
dispatch of the 18th, " On the 15th, the admirals of the allied
1 ChevaUer, 201. - Brereton, 25. •' Chevalier, 205, 206.
1854.] THE FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL. 439
squadrons met on board the Mogador, and the arrangements for
a general attack were made by common consent, and thereupon
submitted to the generals of the land army, and most readily
accepted by them."
The alteration of plans obliged Dundas to hold a new and
hurried conference with his Captains. Moreover, there was delay
consequent upon the necessity for bringing up vessels, many of
which had to be towed, some from off the Katcha, where the bulk
of both fleets had remained since the day of the Alma, and others
from Kamiesh and the neighlionring baj' of Kazatch. Although,
therefore, the land batteries began to bombard the fortress at
6.30 A.M., it was about 1.30 p.m. ere the large ships were able to
join in. Until that hour onh- a few small craft fired independently.
An act of distinguished daring was performed in the course of
the night preceding the action. Masters William Thomas Main-
prise {Britannia), Cornehus Thomas Augustus Noddall (London),
and Charles Eaguenau Pecco Forbes (Samson), in boats with
muffled oars, eluded the Russian guard-boats, some of which hailed
them, and took soundings close under the forts. They returned
safely with very useful information.
It had been arranged among the admii'als that the French
should engage the works at the southern, and the British those
at the northern side of the entrance to the harboiir. This arrange-
ment gave to the French ships as their object Fort Alexander, the
Quarantine battery, and the adjoining works, and, to the British
ships. Fort Constantine, the Telegraph batteries, and the works
near them. But the majority of the ships on each side could be
reached easily by the guns in the batteries on the other. Midway
in the line, between the British and French fleets, but neai'est to
the latter, a station was assigned to the only two Turkish vessels
that were able to take part. Near the centre of the channel, these
vessels were the furthest removed from the forts. On the other
hand, the post of honour to the northward, where the works were
the most formidable, was given to the British. The French had
uiinn till' spot four steam ships of the line ; and those of their vessels
which had been lying at Kamiesh were much closer to the scene
of action, and more readily reached it, than the British contingent,
which included but two screw battleships, and most of which had
to be towed from the anchorage off the Katcha. Some of tin-
French ships, therefore, were the first to get into action ; though.
440 MILITABY fflSTOBY OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
when they began firing, they did so at long and ineffectual ranges.
Presently, however, some of them got close in, and fired at almost
point-blank distance.^ There was no wind whatsoever. All the ships
adopted the usual precautions of sending down top- gallant masts,
and studding-sail booms, etc., and of binding up their yards. All
spare topmasts and yards were sent on board the Vidcan. Special
precautions were adopted by many.
The vessels engaged in this first bombardment of the Sebastopol
forts were as follows : —
Agamemnon, scr.
Sans Pared, scr.
Samsmiy padd. .
Tribune, scr. .
Tenible, padd. .
Sphinx, padd. .
Lynx, fccr. .
[Albion .
G0NS.
COMUANDERS.
\FirebraTid, padd., 6.
{l/yiuUm ....
Niger, scr., 14.
Aretkusa
Triton, padd., 3.
i Queen ....
VesiiviuSf padd., 6.
{Britannia .
Furimis, padd., 16
Trafalgar .
Retribution, padd.,
23.
j Vengeance .
\Highfiyer, scr., 21 .
[Rodney . . .
Ypitejul, padd., 6 .
iBeUerophfm .
Y'ljclops, padd., 6 .
Circassian, padd. .
.Spitfire, padd., 6 .
FRENCH.
Ships.
!R.-Ad. Sir Edmund
Lyons.
Capt. Wm. Robert
blends. i
(Capt. Sidney Culpoys
( Dacres. ' '■
(Capt. Lewis Tobias '
I Jones. j
(Capt. Hon. Swinfen i
( Thomas Carnegie. |
Capt. James Johnstone
I McClev.-rty.
(Capt. Arthur Parry
\ Eardley Wilmot. j
( Lieut. John Proctor
\ Luce.
Com. Hy. Downing
Kogei-s. t
(Capt. "VVm. Houston
1 Stewart. !
Capt. Chas. Eden |
(Com. Leopold George
[ Heath.
(Capt. Thomas ]\Iatthew
\ Charles Symouds.
Lieut. Hy. Lloyd.
fCapt. Freileriek Thomas
^ Micbell.
Com. Richard A&hraore
Powell.
v.- Ad. James Wliiiley
Deaus Dundas, (.'.B.
R.-Ad. Hon. Montagu
Stopford, Capt. of the
Fleet.
ICapt. Thomas Wren
\ Carter. j
Capt. \\ illiam Loriug.
(Capt. Henry Francis
I Greville.
fCapt. Hon. Jas. Robt.
I Dnimmond.
(Capt, Lord Edward Rus-
\ t^ell.
Capt John Moore (4).
t^apt. Cha.-;. Graham.
(Cum. Augusius Fre-
l derick Kynaaton.
Capt. Lord George Paulet.
(Mast. Robert Wilson
1 Roberts.
f Actg. Sec. :\Iast. Edward
[ Codringtuij Hall.
(Com. Thos. Abel Bre-
[ mage Spratt.
Charlemagne, scr.
Montebello, scr.
iFriedland .
{rauban, 20 . .
i ViUe de Paris .
iprimaug^uet, S .
j Valmy .
[Descartes, 20 .
[Henri IV. . .
\canada, 14. .
Napoleim, scr. .
Pomone, scr.
\iAlger. . . .
Isfagellan, 14 .
I Ma remjo .
\Labradx)r, 14 .
iVille de Marseille
Panama, 14
liSuffren . . .
\\Albat70S, 14. .
iBaya7-d .
\\mioa, 14 . .
iJupiter .
{Chr. Colomb, 14
Jean Bart, scr. .
Guxs.
90
120
120
COMMANDEHS.
Capt. de Chabaiines.
V.-Ad. Bmat.
Capt. Bassiere.
Capt. Gueriu.
Capt. d'Herbinghem.
|V.-Ad. Hamelin.
Capt. Dompierre d*Hor-
I noy.
("apt. Reynaud.
R.-Ad. Lugenl.
.Capt. Lecoiute.
Capt. Darricau.
Capt. Jehenue.
Capt. Massin.
rR.-Ad. Oharner.
iCapt. Dupouy.
Capt. de Saisset.
Capt. Kerdraiu.
Capt. ilartin.
Capt. de Varesc.
Capt. Laffon-Ladebat.
Capt. Goubiu.
Capt. Fabre Lamaurelle.
Capt. Dubeinad.
Capt. Borius.
Capt. Bandais.
Capt. Lugeol.
Capt. Chevalier.
Capt. Touchard.
Besides two Turkish ships of the line.
yote. The large vessels bracketed with smaller ones were towed by, or coupled broadside to. the latter.
t In absence of Capt. Stephen Lnshington, commanding Naval Brigade before Sebastopol.
* Corr. of Morn ing Herald.
1854.]
THE FIRST BOMBAltDMKNT OF SEBASTOPOL.
441
Xote, Owing to t;ircunistaiices, the Queen's actual position was that origiDally assifoied to the Hellei-ophont
and the liodncn's was that origiuully assigued to the Queen. Such was the arrangement at i .30 p.m.
Strength akd Armamknt of the Three Principal Sea-Face Batteries at
SeBASTOPOI>, as ENr.Ar.KP BY THE Am.IKD FlKKTS, OcTOHKR 1 7t1!, l!-!54.
Guns.
WoBKS. Men.
36-prg,
S6.prs. 18.P,.. W
j Of which
1 the ships.
Quarantine Fort . L'77
F<;rt Alexiindijr . 272
Fort Constantine . 470
'J'.t
11
ii;
50
_ 2
1 2
12 :i 6
11) 4
34 ; 4 1 6
58
56
94
33
17
23
h 1
*'<*>
1 1
('.."i i:; 11)
208
1 ' '
1 The Busolun pond equals 3011 lbs. nvolrd. The 3-poiid shell gun threw, therefore, a projccillc weighing
about 108 lbs., and the s-pnnd niortjir n projecllle weighing abiut 180 lbs The l.poud (36-pr.) awl J-poud
(18 pr.) pieces were howitzers.
See Todleben, "Defence of SebaKtupol"; Kiiigliike, " InvaHion of the Crimen";
Owen, "Modern Artillery"; Douglas, "Naval Gmmery " ; U.K. Jniirnal of
Operations.
442 MILITABY IIISTOIIY OF THE liOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
A correspondent of the Times, writing on the 18th, said : —
" Yesterday moi-ning, aliout daylireak, the English and French opened fire from
their batteries on tlie south side of Sebastopol. . . . Tlie jiaddle- wheel and screw
frigates lashed tliemselves alongside the sailing liiie-of-battle ships, and all was got
leady for the fight. The French were to occupy the right as you enter the harbour —
that is, the southern side — and the English, the left, or northern side, in one line, about
1500 yards off. The French got into their places about half-past twelve o'clock, and
immediately commenced a heavy fire, which was vigorously returned from the
batteries. The distance, however, was certainly greater than originally contemplated,
and, as far as I can ascertain, it was over 2000 yards. By degrees the English ships
successively took up their stations, passing in rear of the French, and anchoring to the
left. The Agamemnon, Sans Pareil, and Loudon . . . however, took an inside station
in advance — perhaps about 1000 yards from Fort Coustantiue. Nothing could lie more
noble than the gahant way in which the Agamemnon and Sana Pareil steamed in amid
a perfect hail of caimou-balls and shells, preceded by a little tug-steamer, the Cir-
cassian, commanded by Mr. Ball. This little bit of a cockleshell, which looked as if
she might have been arrested by a fowling-piece, deliberateh' felt the way for the large
ships till her services were no longer required.
" The firing soon became terrific. At the distance of six miles the sustained sound
resembled that of a locomotive at full speed, but, of course, the roar was infinitely
grander. The day was a deail calm, so that the smoke hung heavily about both ships
and batteries, and frerjuently jirevented either side from seeing anytliing. From about
two till dark (nearly six) the cannonade raged most furiously.
" Towards four o'clock. Fort Constantine, as well as some of the smaller batteries,
slackened somewhat in their fire ; but towards dusk, as some of the ships began to haul
out, the Russians returned to their guns, and the fire seemed as fierce as ever. There
was one explosion just behind Fort Constantine, which appeared to do much damage.
At dark, all the ships retiuned to their anchorage. The change was magical from a
hot sun, mist, smoke, explosions, shot, shell, rockets, and the roar of ten thousand guns,
to a still, cool, brilliant, starlit sky, looking down upon a glassy sea, refiecting in long
tremulous lines the lights at the mast-heads of the ships returning amid profound
silence."
Another correspondent,^ writing a Httle later, thus describes the
shght effect produced : —
'■■ We passed close by the forts of Sebastopol. We were quite within range (though
the enemy never attempted to fire), and therefore with our glasses we could see every
chink and cranny in the fortresses, which we had ample time to survej'. Every fort
towards the sea — those of Alexander, and Paul on the south side, and Nicholas, and
Constantine on the north — was perfectly covered from the base to the summit with
shot marks. In this there was no diflerence between those attacked by the English or
French, except that Fort Constantine, to the north, had two of the casemated ports
knocked into one. It was at the spot where the Agamemnon had been moored, and
where her whole broadside had been concentrated with something like effect. As far
as we could judge, it seemed that the amount of damage done to the batteries is literally
and truly nothing. Where several shots have struck in the same place, the granite is
splintered and broken away to the depth of about a foot, or even less. AVhere only one
or two balls have struck, there are mere whitish marks, as if the spot had been dabbed
with flour.
" To restore these forts to tlieir original look would, of course, be expensive, because
unnecessary. As forts, they are as strong as if a shot had never been fired against
' Writing to the Morning Herald.
1854.] THE FLEETS AND THE BOMliAlUt.MENT. 44?
tliem. A vciy suiall amount of money would repair the actual damage done to tlie
cornices below the emln'apuree. The spots on the walls V)elow the embrasures are not
worth notice, for a few inches of stone make little difference in a fort where the walls
are fourteen, and in some parts eighteen feet thick. . . . Owing to the shallowness of
the water, no vessel, French or English, was enabled to approach nearer than 750 yards.
The great majority . . . were 1000 and 1200 yards off."
The position of the Russian batteries on the north and south
sides of the harbour-mouth is indicated in the plan on p. 441. The
armament of the principal works is there also set forth.
Vice-Admiral Dundas's dispatch concerning the engagement is
very meagre. It declares briefly that the Agamemnon, Sans Pareil,
Samson, Tribune, Sphinx, and Lynx, and the Albion, London, and
Arethnsa, towed respectively by the Firebrand, Niger, and Triton,
"engaged Fort Constantine and the batteries to the northward";
and that the other sailing ships, with a steamer lashed on the port
side of each, " gradually took up their positions, as nearly as possible
as marked on the plan " appended to the letter ; that the action
lasted from about half-past one to half-past six p.m. ; that the
British ships had lost 44 killed and 26(5 wounded ; and that —
" The ships, masts, yards, and rigging are more or less damaged, principally by
shells and hot shot. The Albion has suffered much in hull and masts ; the Rodney in
her masts, she having tailed on the reef, from which she was got off by the great
exertions of Conuiiander Kynaston, of the Spileful, whose crew and vessel were
necessarily exposed in performing this action ; but, with the exception of the Albion
and Arethnsa, which ships I send to Constantinople to lie repaired, 1 hope to be able to
iii.ake my si(uadrun serviceable in twenty-four hours."
The dispatch also praises the ability and zeal of Eear-Admirals
Sir Edmund Lyons, and the Hon. Montagu Stopford, and of the
officers and men engaged, and bears witness to the gallantry and
skill of the French, and to the manner in wliicli Achmet Pacha
did his duty. It appears from the other dispatches, from the logs,
and from independent accounts which have been consulted, that the
signal to weigli was made to the British squadron at 10.50 .V.M., and
that tli(! Aginiicnniiin, lolKiwed by the Sans I'arril, li'd in. At
1.30 P.M., the Agamemnon, then closing the land, opened fire from
her large pivot gun upon the Wasp battery, which at once returned
it, and which was presently joined l)y Fort Constantine. At '2 p.m.
she anchored head and stern in Iniu' and tlir('c-(]uartcr fatlioms,
about 750 yards from Fort Constantine, upon which her broadside
was turned. Five minutes later, the Sans Pareil and the London
anchored astern of her, and hotly engaged the Star Fort, and
smaller works upon the heights. At "2. 20 p.m., the Albion anchored,
444 MILITAliy HISTOL'Y OF THE llOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
and took off some of the tire of the Wasp hatteiy, subsequently
tackling Fort Constantine. The Brifaiiiiia, then about 2000 yards
from the forts, and in fifteen fathoms, began action at nearly the
same time; and the bombardment then soon became general. The
smaller steamers, and especially the Terrible and. the Samson, placed
themselves inshore of the ships of the line, and behaved most
gallantly. The AretJiusa, having had her rigging cut to pieces,
mail}' shot in her hull, and 23 ' persons killed and wounded, was
presently towed off bj* her attendant. The Albiuii, also, with 11
kiUed and 71 wounded, was obliged to haul out of the fight, very
badly mauled.- Nearly at the same moment the London, with
4 killed and 18 wounded, retired. Lyons, however, in the
Ayamcmnon, though more exposed than any other officer, did
not move. At one time his second, the Sans Pareil, withdrew
in consequence of having expended all the ammunition which it
had been decided to use on the occasion ; but he called up the
Bellerophun ^ to support him, and sent to bring back the Sans Pareil,
fighting on, and declaring, " I'm damned if I'll leave this." The
Agamemnon had only 4 killed and 25 wounded ; but, owing to her
nearness to the forts, she suffered far more aloft than in her hull.
She was twice on fire ; and, from first to last, she was hit 240 times.
The Pimlneij, for the reason mentioned in Dundas's dispatch, suffered
still more severely aloft. The Britannia, Trafalgar, Queen,* and
Vengeance were much less injured. The last ship, the Belleroplion,
hauled off at 7 o'clock, with 5 killed and 16 wounded.
Among the killed in the British squadron were Lieutenant
Parkhurst Chase (Albion), and Midshipmen Charles Madden (2)
(Sans Pareil), and Forster {Belleroplion). Among the officers
wounded were Captain "William Houston Stewart (Firebrand),
Commander Augustus Frederick Kynaston (Spiteful), Lieutenants
Francis Eeginald Purvis (Spiteful), James Bull, and Warren Hastings
Anderson {Sans Pareil), Charles Edward Stevens (Albion), James
William Vaughan (Britannia), and Thomas Lovette Gaussen
(Agamemnon), and Master Henry Paul, Surgeon Eichard Denton
' Including o of the Tritmi's, who were lieljjing to serve her gims.
^ Slie was thrice set on iire, and would probably have gone ashore, but for the
eftbrts of the tugs.
° She was ultimately the closest ship in, and succeeded in silencing Wasp battery.
Lyons signalled to her, " Well done, Bellerophon."
■* The Queen, however, caught fire, as did also the Brltanniu, which last received
over seventy shots in her hull.
ie54.]
'IIIE KAVJL BIHGADK ASnOJiE.
445
Mason, and I'aymaster Charles Augustus Thorne (all of Alhian).
The French had 212 people killed and wounded : the Turks, but
one or two men hurt. The Russians admitted a loss during the
day of 1100 men,' among the killed being the gallant Admiral
Korniloff, who had been the chief organiser of the defence of the
fortress.
In the meantime, the Naval Brigade ashore did excellent service.
CAPTAIN SIK «II,I,IA.M I'KKI., K.C.ll., V.C.
Front fi Jil/iufjmijh hil ■/. //. Li/m-h. ii/f>r u iifufloiirajjh hi/ J//'.s-. Vrrsrhni/h'.
Up to Ucto])cr 2(Jth, it lost 12 killed and 58 wounded." It took part
in the bombardment with some naval 32-prs.,.a few 68's from the
Terrible, a couple of 13-inch mortars, and half a dozen Lancaster
' A Frendi oflicei', wlio luul previously been tukcn juisoncr, escaped, reporting tliat
tlie Hu8.sians liad lost .'JOOO killed, besides the wounded.
' Among the killed were Lieuts. Cavendish Bradstreet Hore liuthven (London),
and George Herbert Harris Grcatlied {Biitannin); and, among the wovindod, Cajit.
William Moorsoni (/'Vcrirajirf), Lieuts. John Norris Nornian (7'/n/((/;/a;), and Allied
Mitcliell (Jli'tmoiK/), and Mate 'I'honias 'J'liclwall liulli.ck (aitg.) {Trafahjar).
446 MILITARY IIISTOBY OF THE ROYAL XAVY, 1816-1856.
guns/ and it also worked soLiie of the -ii-prs. of the military siege train,
until those guns were disabled. On October 18th, Captain William
Peel seized a live shell which, with burning fuse, fell in his battery,
and flung it over the parapet. It burst before it touched the groimd
outside. At Lord Baglan's desire, Dundas reinforced the Brigade,
after the bombardment, with 410 officers and seamen, and placed
Commander Lord John Hay (3), of the Wasp, 14, screw, under the
■ orders of Captain Lushington. At Eupatoria, Captain Brock, sup-
ported by the Leauder, 50, Captain George St. Vincent King, the
Megcera, 6, screw. Commander John Ormsby Johnson, and other
vessels, held his own, though threatened, and occasionally attacked,
by large bodies of cavahy, with guns." The Sidon, 22, paddle,
Captain George Goldsmith, and Inflexible, 6, paddle, Commander
George Otway Popplewell, with the French vessels Cacique and
Caton, remained in Odessa Bay, to prevent the Russians there from
• commmiicating by sea with the Crimea.^
The famous cavalry action at Balaclava was fought on October
25th. On the following day the Russians made a detei-mined sortie
against the division of General Sir de Lacy Evans. Their advance
threatened the right Lancaster Battery, which was held by actg.
Mate William Nathan Wrighte Hewett, of the Beagle, and a party
• of seamen ; and at 300 yards thej^ poured a hot musketry fire into
the work. Owing to some eiTor, word was passed to spike the gun
and to retreat. Hewett, doubting whether the order came from
■Captain Lushington, commanding the Brigade, not only stuck to his
post, bi:t also, aided by his men and by some soldiers, slewed his
gun round in the direction of the enemy on his flank, blew away the
parapet of the battery, and opened a fire which materialh' assisted in
obliging the Russians to retreat. Hewett was at once made actg.
Lieutenant, and was afterwards officially promoted as from the day
• of his brave action. Later, he was given the A^ictoria Cross.
On November 7th, Vice-Admiral Dundas proposed to Yice-
Adniiral Hamelin to destroy the remaining storehouses and maga-
zines at Odessa ; and preparations were being made to that end
when a dispatch from England arrived, directing the naval
■ Commander-in-Chief not to undertake any operations against
' Including two from the Bearjh.
- In repelling one of these attacks, Lieut. AVilliam Heiny Pym (Finhrund), and
, Mids. Lord Edward Henry Cecil (Leander) distinguished themselves.
' Dundas .to Admlty., Oct. 1.3th, 18th and 23rd.
1854.J
aOllTlK OF THE "VLADIMIJ!."
447
the enemj' without the concurrence of Lord Eaglan ; while on
the same daj' Kaglan and Canrobert decided " that the presence
of steam war-vessels for the purpose of bombai'ding Odessa would,
under existing circumstances, be much more disadvantageoits than
useful.'" A project of Dundas's for the occupation of Kertch was
X^ut forward at about the same time ; but could not be carried out
owing to the inability of the Generals to spare the necessary troops
silt WJUJAM N.VniAN WItllMlTE ilKWKTT, K.C.I!., V.C., VI('K-.\lnilU.V I..
Born WM ; dicil IbHH.
for the operation. On tlic other hand, J)iiiHlas was urged fruui
home to send some of his steamers to the pastern extremity of the
Gulf of Perekop so that their guns, by sweeping the western side of
the isthmus of that name, might interfere with the passag(> of troops
and supplies into the Crimea by that route. The Vice-A(bniral knew
that this plan was inquiicticable ; l)ut, to satisfy tlie Admiralty, he
detached the Spitfire, 5, paddle, Commaiidtr 'riiduias .\hc] Bromage
' V.i\\. J'apcr, ordercil Id lie lointoil .liiiic lllli, 1855.
448 JHLITABY niSTOllY OF THE IIOYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Spratt, to take soundings near the head of the Gulf. Spratt, who
returned on December 13th, reported that the Spitfire, though only a
small sloop, could not approach the shore within twenty miles, and
that even her boats could not approach it within four- miles. He
also reported that thirty miles east of the isthmus there was a bridge
across a narrow part of Lake Sivatch ; and that across the bridge,
not across the isthmus, lay the chief military road between Kherson
and Simpheropol.
Towards noon, on December 6th, some excitement was caused
by the sudden sortie from Sebastopol of the steam frigate Vladimir,
and the steam corvette Chersonese. They came out by the passage
which had been left through the line of sunken ships, and headed at
great speed to the W.S.W., firing at the batteries on the extreme
left of the French attack, and at the French look-out vessel Megere.
The latter was presently reinforced by the French dispatch-vessel
Dauphin, and by the Valorous, 16, paddle, Captain Claude Henry
Mason Buckle ; and, before those craft, the Eussians turned and
withdrew, after having made what was, no doubt, a useful recon-
naissance.
There were no other naval movements of importance during the
year 18.54. On December 22nd, his three years" period of command
having nearly expired, Dimdas harded down his flag as Commander- 1
in-Chief in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, and was succeeded by
Sir Edmund Lyons, whose place as second was taken by Eear-
Admiral Edward Boxer, C.B. At about the same time Vice-Admiral
Hamelin was succeeded by Vice-Admiral Bruat.
One unfoi'tunate occurrence which signalised the conclusion
of Vice-Admiral Dundas's command remains to be chronicled. On
November 14th, 18.54, a hurricane of almost unexampled violence
devastated the coasts of the Crimea. In the morning the sky was
clear and the sea calm, with a light land wind blowing : but the
barometer stood at 29*50. Part of the fleet still lay off the Katcha
Kiver. In Balaclava Bay, in spite of the meteorological conditions,
no special measures of precaution were taken, except that the
Againcinnon moved out. By 10 a.m. the stonri, a furious blast from
the S.W., w'as in full play. In quick succession the transports
Progress, Besolute, Wanderer, Ken il worth. Prince, screw, Bip van
Winlic, and other vessels, to the number of thirty-four, were lost, '
chiefly off Balaclava, many of their people perishing. With the I
Prince, which had on board immense supplies of winter clothing
1H51.] TIIK NAVAL llliKIADK AT INKERMANN. 449
and hospital stores, there was lost Commaiidcr Jicnjamiii Jiayuton,
Admiralty Agent. The warships Vesuvius and Ardent suffered
severely, but escaped being wrecked. The other warships in the
bay were still more fortunate, and rode out the gale without great
damage. The storm was at its worst for not much more than two
hours, and the weather moderated in the afternoon, though a high
sea still ran.
Off the Katcha, fourteen transports, of which five ' were British,
were totally lost. H.M.S. Samson fouled two of them, and carried
away all her masts. The Turkish admiral lost two of his masts,
and H.M.S. London was badly damaged; but comparatively few
lives were sacrificed there. Off Eupatoria,^ where the anchorage
was bad, the French line-of-battle ship Henri IV. dragged her four
anchors, or snapped their cables, and drove ashore. The Phiton
met with the same fate. The Russians, at the height of the
tempest, made an attack upon the place, but were driven off, tlianks
in part to the help rendered by the grounded ships, which, though
almost on their beam ends and threatening to break up, gallantly
opened fire. The Plufon became a total loss ; but tlu; Henri IT*,
long remained where the waves had cast her, and was used as a
fort to defend the south side of the town, while some of her guns
were landed and mounted in the batteries of the place.
In the battle of Inkermanu, fought on November 5th, 1854, six
hundred men of the Naval Brigade were present in the field, the rest
being in the batteries. The right Lancaster battery, where (actg.)
Lieutenant William Nathan AVrighte Hewett commanded, on the
extreme right of the left attack, and wlu;rt' Lancaster guns and
three 68-prs. were mounted, was fierct^ly but vainly assaulted by the
liussians. b'ive Ijluejackets, picking up the rilies of disabled soldiers,
mounted the banquette, and, with extraordinary heroism aiul cool-
ness, under a stonn of Imllcts, kept up a rapid fire against the
enemy, while other seamen below loaded and handed up fresh
weapons. Two of these gallant fellows perished, but the survivors,
Thomas Reeves, James Gornum, and Mai'k Scholefield, were
deservedly given the Victoria Cross. Sir Edmund Lyons, who had
been present at Balaclava on October •25th, was also present on
shore at Inkernumn. So, also, were Captain Sir William Peel, and
' J'l/rctitcs, Uaiii/cx, Jivttinij, Tymin:, anil Ja/viI Jlai/hiii.
- At Kupatdiia were lost the Hiitisli trans|ioitB l/er Majesty, Asia, O/endalom/li,
llarhiiiijir, aii<i Ocorniaiid.
VOIj. VI. 2 G
450 MILITAHY IIISTOUY OF THE liOYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
his aide-de-caiup, Midshipman Edward St. John Daniel. They
joined the officers of the Grenadier Guards, and assisted in defending
the colours of that regiment when they were in danger of capture
at the Sandbag Battery. Both Peel and Daniel, it should be added,
won the Victoria Cross ; and both deserved it on more than one
occasion.
After Inkermanu, the British naval camp before Sebastopol was
shifted to a new site about a mile and a half more to the left, on
the right bank of the upper part of the long ravine leading down to
the head of the Dockyard or Inner Harbour.
From February 1st, iSoo, the blockade in the Black Sea was
formally renewed, all Eussian ports which were not occupied by the
Alhes being specified, or indicated, in the Gazette notice announcing
the fact. Ere that time Omar Pasha, with a large Turkish army,
had been transported to the Crimea, and had undertaken the military-
management of the defence of Eupatoria. The Russians, sti'ange to
say, delayed making any determined attack upon the place until
after it had been thiis strengthened ; and, when they did attack,
they were badly defeated.
Their great effort to capture the town began in the early morning
of February 17th, 1855, and ended with their retirement at about
10.15 A.M. Omar Pasha's dispatch on the subject to Lord Kaglau
states that, the Turkish right and centre being specially pressed, the
senior British naval officer was asked to detach the Viper to co-
operate with the French steamer VeJoce and the Turkish steamer
Sehefer on the light ; that the left was well covered by the men-of-
war; and that, in addition to the Viper, the Curaqoa, Furious, and
Valorous rendered useful service. The Valorous, from the harbour,
threw her sheUs with gi'eat precision, and specially annoyed the
Eussian cavalry; the Furious landed a rocket party on the extreme
right of the town ; and this body of men, outflanking the assaulting
column as it reached the glacis, greatly contributed to throwing it
into confusion.'
The Eussians still held Anapa and Soujak Kaleh, on the
Circassian coast of the Black Sea ; and, although they were care-
fully watched, no attempts on a large scale were made to dislodge
them. On February •20-24th, the Leopard, 18, paddle. Captain
George Gifi'ard, and boats, defeated a body of Eussian troops at
' Omar ((■ H:iglaii : Cani-obeit"s disp. : cow. o{ Daili/ yars.
1855.] TIIF. ItUSSIANS SINK MORE SHIPS. 451
Auapa, captiu-ed some •^iiiis and stores, and destroyed some buildings.
On March 8th, the Viper, 4, screw. Lieutenant Charles Arthur
Lodder, and a landing-party from her, destroyed a fort, barracks,
and granaries at Djemctil, hard l)y ; and on ]\Iarch 13th, the
Leopard, and Viper, with the Higlijiijcr, 21, screw, Captain John
Moore (4), and Swallow, Commander Frederick Augustus Buchanan
Craufurd, engaged the works at Soujak Kaleh. But sufficient force
to reduce those strongholds could not tluni be spared from l)<>forc
Sebastopol.
During all that time but little leal progress was made towards
, the reduction of the great fortress. The Kussians had less vahd
reason than ever to fear a direct naval attack : yet they appear, while
somewhat underrating the capacity of their military enemies, to
have strangely overrated the powers of the allied fleets ; for, says
one of Eaglan's dispatches, on the night of February 24th they
"sank three or four more ships in the harbour, as far within the
booms as the first were outside of them ; and, according to the most
accurate examination yesterday,* there are now four barriers or
impediments to the entrance of the harbour — namely, two of sunken
ships, and two booms." A few days later'- they were reported to
have sunk two additional ships. The new line of obstructions ran
between Forts Michael and Nicholas.
The return in the spring of comparatively fine weather led to
ren(!wed activity on the part of the attack ; and, at daj'break on
April 9th, a new general bombardment of the besieged town was
opened. Enormous quantities of annnunition were wasted by both
sides; and the fire was kept u)), with some intermissions, for twelve
days, and did not wholly die out until about April 27th or 2Sth.
Very little damage seems to have been done, however. The allied
navies co-operated on several occasions. The Kussians had so
greatly augmented their seaward defences, especially on the com-
manding heights above the permanent forts, that the ships could
not stand in to engage save when the nights were dark ; and, even
then, as they were obliged to direct much of their fire by the aid of
.signal lights placed ashore, great accuracy was scarcely obtainable.
On the night of April IMth, the Valoron.s had a smart brush with
Forts Constantine and Alexander, and with the Quarantine Battery,
and withdrew without having been strack ; and, on the night of
' Tlic ai>|.. is (lakjil Fflli. ■-'Till. - l)is|i. »( Mar. .".nl.
2 (i 2
452 MILITAllY IIISTOllY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
April '22nd, the British and French flagships, Boyal Albert, 121,'
screw, and MdiitcbcUo, 120, screw, also stood in, hut had to desist
from their intended action owing to an accident which disabled the
Frenchman's machinery. Upon the whole, it was plain that, so long
as the Bussian fleet remained in port — and it was certain that it did
not pux-pose to put to sea — the presence of immense naval forces off
Sebastopol was almost entirely useless ; and it was this fact which
at length determined the despatch of an expedition to pass through
the Strait of Kertch and into the Sea of Azof, where the enemy
had large stores of supplies that might be reached without gi-eat
difficulty, and where, in consequence, he could be more eft'ectivelj'
annoyed. Lyons and Bruat were, almost from the first, strong
partisans of this expedition. Eaglau and Canrobert also believed
that it would produce valuable results ; but for a long time they
were unwilling to spare the troops which were required to accom-
panj- it. On April 2.jth, however, having decided that they would
attempt no important military operations before Sebastopol until
on or after May 11th, they agreed with the naval chiefs to lend their
co-operation ; and, accordingly, on May 3rd, 12,000 troops under
Generals Sir George Brown and d'Autemarre, were embarked in forty
steamers, British and French. That evening the flotilla weighed
and headed for Eupatoria, to deceive the Russians. In the night it
altered course.
" On tlio 5tli," writes an ollicer who was present, " having arrived witliin twenty
miles of our destination, the Admiral made a general .signal for Captains, with the
object, as we su|iposed, of discussing the ])lan of attack : so our surjiise and disappoint-
ment may be imagined when " (our Captain) " returnid, looking very glum, with the
intelligence that General Canrobert had received a message from Xapoleon which
obliged him to recall the French. Of coiu'se the English might have gone on : but it
was not thought prudent to act alone." -
The British, therefore, returned, and anchored in Kamiesh Bay.
Canrobert, there is small doubt, exaggerated the onus which was
laid upon him by his instructions from Paris ; and he certainly, by
recalling the expedition after it had sailed, ran serious risk not only
of encom'aging the enemy but also of disquieting his allies. A little
later, however, an Azof expedition was again allowed to set out,
and was pei'mitted to do its work without interference. It may be
noted, meanwhile, that the Emperor Napoleon's message, in con-
' Lyons had transferred his flag to her on Feb. 14th, 185o. She was commanded
by Captain William Robert Mends, C.B.
= ' At School and at Sea,' 402. Sec also Chevalier, 2o!l.
1855.] KXI'KIHTION TO THE SEA OF AZOF. 4.'):?
sequence of the ]vceipt of wliieli the first expedition was recalii'd,
was one of the earliest messages that passed over the then newly-
laid cable to the seat of war. It may also be noted that, soon after
the layinjj; of the cable, the French niilitary commander-in-chief,
who probably felt that he could not satisfactoril}' do his work at the
front while he was subject to hom-ly dictation from Paris, resigned,'
and was succeeded by General Pelissier. Still moi-e in naval than
in military matters is it unwise for authorities at a distance to seek
to direct in detail those who are on the scene of action. The late
Sir Geoffrey Hornby's opinions on this point, which have been cited
in a previous volume,'-^ seem to be strictly in accordance with all the
lessons of the past.
The new expedition included about 7000 French, oUOO Turkish,
and 3500 British, with a few Sardinian^ troops, the British being,
as before, under Sir George Brown ; and the fleet employed was
made up of nine sail of the line, and about fifty smaller vessels, of
which those named below ^ formed the British contingent. Sir
Edmund Lj^ons and Vice-Adniiial Biiiat were themselves in
command.
The fleet sailed from Kamiesh Bay on May •22nd, and reached a
point a few miles below Kertch on the morning of May 24th, the
Queen's birthday. The troops were quickly thrown ashore near
Kamiesh Bouraou and Cape Paulovski, while some of the lighter
vessels pushed on towards Kertch and Yenikale. ]5ut the Kussians
did not await the attack. Taken, apparently, by surprise, they blew
up their fortifications on botli sides of the strait, abandoned about a
liundrc'd guns, and retii-cd, after having destroyed three steamers,
and sevei-al other heavily-armed vessels, as well as large quantities
of provisions, ammunition and stones. These results were efl'ected
without loss to the Allies, and, indeed, practically without any
fighting.
' May 18th. "- SceWA. II., p. ;)I(M..
^ Sariliiiiii hail cast in her lot with the Allies since the beginning; of the yuar.
* Soi/iil Albert, I'Jl, scr. (flag); J/diinibal, 91, 8cr. (Hag «( li.-Ad. lioustoii
Stewart); Ali/iers, i)l, scr. ; Ai/aiiwinnuii, !)1, scr. ; .SI. Jmn d'Anv, 101, scr. ; Princess
Hoijal, iJl, scr. ; Sidon, 'I'l, pndd. ; Vulurnus, 22, padd. ; Leopard, 18, padd. ; Tribune,
31, scr. ; Simoon, 8, scr. ; Furious, 16, padd. ; niyhflyer, 21, scr. ; Terrible, 21, padd. :
Sphinx, (!, padd. ; Spitjirc, 5, jiadd. ; Gladiator, G, jiadd. ; Caradoc, 2, padd. ; Banshee,
2, padd. ; and the following liuht squadron, viz., Miranda, 15, scr. ; Venuriiis, (i, jmdd. ;
Curlew, 'J, scr.; Swallou; !», scr.; Stromboli, 6, jpadd. ; Ardeut, 5, [jadd. ; Medina,
I, padd. ; ir;a»i</?e/-, 4, scr. ; I'ijter, 4, scr. : '/.y/ix, 4, ser. ; Uccruit, G, padd. ; Arrow,
4, scr. ; Siialce, 4, scr. ; and licayle, 4, sor.
454 MILITAIIY ITISTOnV OF THE BOYAL NAVY, 181G-1856.
" There was, however, an inciiieut during the da3' that called forth the admiration
of both fleets, and which deserves to be particularly noticed. Lieut. McKilloii, whose
gun vessel, the Snake., was not employed, like the others, in landing troops, dashed past
the forts after an enemy's steamer, and, although he soon found himself engaged not
only with her but also with two others who came to her support, he persevered, and,
by the cleverness and extreme rapidity of his manoeuvres, prevented the escajje of all
three: and they were subsequently destroyed by the enemy."'
The Snake had uo one huit, although shot passed through her.
Towards the end of the affair she was supported by the Recruit, and
other craft. Lieutenant Heniy Frederick McKillop, for his gallantry,
was promoted to be Commander, as from the date of his exploit, as
soon as he had completed the necessary (jualifying sea time.
At Kertch and Yenikale, about 1'2,00U tons of coal were taken by
the Allies, and were of the utmost value to them.
On j\Iay •2.5th, Lyons and Bruat despatched into the Sea of Azof
the light squadron specified in the note on p. 453, together with
four " French steamers, the whole imder Captain Edmund Moubray
Lyons, of the Miranda, and Commander Beral de Sedaiges, of the
Lucifer, and ordered it to take or sink as many as possible of the
enemy's ships of war and merchantmen, to destroj" such stores as
might be useful to the Russian army, and to respect private
property.
"It was," says Hamilton Williams, "like burstiug into a vast treasure-house,
crammed with wealth of inestimable value. For miles along its shores stretched the
countless storehouses packed with the accumulated harvests of the great corn provinces
of Russia. From them the Russian armies in the field were fed ; from them the
beleaguered population of Sebastopol looked for preservation from the famine which
already pressed hard upou them."
Having entered the Sea of Azof, the Hotilla appeared, on
May '26th, before Berdiansk, where some coasting-vessels and large
stores of grain were bm-nt. The Swalloir and Wrangler were then
detached to Genitchi, to command the entrance to the Putrid Sea ;
and the Curlew was sent to cruise off the mouth of the Don, while
the squadron moved towards Fort Arabat, off which it arrived on
IMay 28th. The work, which mounted thirty gmis, engaged the
Allies, who had but one man wounded, for an hour and a half, and
then blew up. The strength of the Ai-abat garrison, however, pre-
vented a landing from being attempted. "While the French con-
tingent ret'urned to Kertch to coal there, the British portion of the
flotilla, having silenced the defenders of the place, destroyed much
' Lyons to Adndty., May 2Cth.
^ Later reinforced by two more. Chevalier, 263.
I
456 MILITAIIY fllsTOnr OF THE ROYAL XAVV, 1816-1850.
stores aud many vessels at Geiiitchi, on May '29th, thanks, chiefly,
to the exertions of a landing-party under Lieutenant John Francis
Campbell Mackenzie,' and to the personal gallantry of Lieutenants
Cecil William Buckley, and Hugh Talhot Burgoyne, and Gunner
John Roberts, who, to complete the work, went ashore together,
and, without assistance, in presence of a consideral)le force of the
enemy, and bej'ond gunshot of their ships, fired certain vessels and
stores which, owing to a shift of wind, might otherwise have escaped.
Each of these three officers afterwards received the Victoria Cross.
In the opei'ations at Genitchi, only one British seaman was wounded.
" Since the squadron entered the Sea of Azof, four days ago," wrote
Captain Lyons, in his dispatch to his father, " the enemy has lost
four steamers of war,'- 246 merchant vessels, also corn and tlour
magazines to the value of at least i'1.50,000." He afterwards esti-
mated the amount of corn destroyed at sufficient to supply 100,000
men for nearly four months.
Having informed the Commander-in-Chief that by June '2nd or
;:5rd he should be ready to begin operations in the shallower waters
of the Gulf of the Don, Captain Lyons received, as reinforcements,
the small steamers Danube, and Siiliiia, and twelve launches, armed
with 24-pr. howitzers aud rockets, from the large ships in the
Strait of Kertch. These joined him at Taganrog, off which, at a
distance of about eight and a half miles, he anchored in eighteen
feet of water on the evening of June 1st. In the night, owing to a
brisk eastei4y wind, the water fell three feet, and the squadron, in
consequence, had to move a mile and a half further out. In the
town were about 3.500 troops, and the place was fairly well defended.
On the '2nd it was reconnoitred by the Bccndf, Lieutenant George
Fiott Day, which, veiy early on the following morning, was anchored
1400 yards from the mole head. The town was then summoned by
Lieutenant William Horton, who was sent in under a flag of truce ;
and, when the governor rejected terms, the Recruit opened a sharp
fire, covered by which the boats, under Commander Cowper Phipps
Coles, of the Stroniholi, pulled, or were towed, towards the beach,
and plied their howitzers and rockets at point-blank range against
the Russians, who strove in vain to steal down under shelter of the
houses, and save their storehouses from being burnt. ^lany stores
' t'om., in consequeuce, as From May 2Utli, 1855.
^ These had entered the Sea cf Azdf upun the approach of the British, and had
there been destroyed by tlieir crews.
1S55.]
OPEItATTONS IN THE GULF OF TAGANIiOG.
4.->7
were set lire to by tlic rockets; but tlie coiillagration would have
been by no means general had not Lieutenant John Francis Camp-
bell Mackenzie, with a separate division of boats, devoted special
attention to covering a fonr-oared gig, maimed by volunteers, and
containing Lieutenant Cecil William Buckley, and Boatswain Henry
Cooper.' These officers landed repeatedly, and fired many ware-
houses and buildings wliicli might othei-wise have escaped. Indeed,
1 Al'TAlN KDMUSD .MOniSlt.VV I.VUNS.
it'rom Colnaghtx Utlmjruph hij J. H. Liiich, 1855.)
the blaz(! ultimately toolv even lirmer Imld than liad been intended,
and involved the destruction of great part of the town. The attack,
having effected all its objects, ceased soon after 3 v.yi. The only
British loss was one man wounded.^
On June "ith Mariopol. and on .lune lith (Iheisk,^ were talvcn
possession of without opposition ; and all government property in
them was destroyed. Similar work was done by detached vessels at
' V.C. for tliis sorvict'. - LymiH to Lyons, .Imie oiil.
•' Eisk on tiic imip.
458 MlLITARy lIISTOItY <iF THE ROYAL XAVl', 181G-185G.
Temriouk and at Kiten ; and the light squadron then returned to
Kertch, whence the Miranda, Captain Edmund Moubray Lyons,
went back to her station before Sebastopol. In one of the night
engagements with the forts there, on June 17th, the gallant Captain
of the Miranda was severely wounded. He was sent to hospital at
Therapia, and, though he at first affected to make light of his injury,
the wound cost him his life within a week. When the light squadron
resumed its operations in the Sea of Azof, his place at the head of it
was taken by Commander Sherard Osborn, of the ]\'si(riti.s.
In the interim, Vice-Admirals Lyons and Bruat had planned
descents upon Soujak Kaleh and Anapa, tlie Kussian ports on the
Circassian shore of the Black Sea. Ere, however, they could
complete their preparations, they learnt that both places had been
evacuated and burnt, and their fortifications destroyed. All they
could do was to detach Itear- Admirals Houston Stewart, and Charner
along the coast to show their flags. At Anapa, the Circassians were
found to be already in possession. Such few Eussian gmrs as had
not been rendered useless were thrown over the cliffs. By Jmie 14th,
the whole of the Kertch expedition, save half-a-dozen vessels and
some troops that were left to guard the neighbourhood, had set out
on its return to Balaclava and Kamiesh.
During this absence of the Kertch squadron from before Seljas-
topol. Rear-admiral Edward Boxer, C.B., died of cholera on board
the Jason. To him was largely due the improvement which had
been by that time effected in the arrangements at, and in the sanita-
tion of. Balaclava.
He was ultimately succeeded as commander of that port by
Rear-Admiral Charles Howe Fremantle, pending whose arrival the
position was held by Captain Cospatrick Baillie Hamilton, of the
Diamond, 27. In the general bombardment of Sebastopol between
Jmie 6th and 10th, and again on June l(Jth and 17th, the aUied
navies took some part from seaward, and the Brigade ashore, under
Captain Stephen Lushingtou,' earned the special commendation of
Lord Eaglan.'^ Besides working its guns, the Brigade supplied
foiu' parties, each of 60 men, to carry scaling-laddei-s and wool-
bags for the troops detailed to storm the Eedan. Two of these
' K.C.B. Jill}' oth, 1855. Lushingtoii attained flag-rauk on July 4th, 1855, and on
July I'Jth was succeeded in command of the Naval Brigade by Ca]itain the Hon. Henry
Keppel, who assumed his duties two days later.
- In addition to Capt. Edmund Moubray Lyons (mortally wimnded), the Navy
afloat lost 3 killed and 13 wounded.
I
1855.] . THE "BEAGLir AT AUABAT SPI1\ 459
parties were kepi in reserve. The others were sent forward, aiul
lost 10 killed, 41 wounded, aod 1 missing. Among the killed was
Lieutenant Thomas Osborne Kidd, of the Aiiglia, who, after tht^
repulse, returning to succour a wounded soldier, was shot through
the breast.' Auiong the slightly wounded was the brave Captain
Peel. On June -iSth Lord Eaglan died, and was ultimately suc-
ceeded as military commander-in-chief by General Simpson.
In the Sea of Azof, Commander Sherard Osborn still carried
forward the work of destruction that had been begun so successfully
by Captain Lyons. On June •i'ind. the boats of the I't-siwius de-
stroyed a vessel, and repulsed a body of Cossacks, at Kamieshwa ; on
Jime '24th, the vessel herself silenced some guns at Petrovski ; and
on June 27th, landing-parties from the Vesuvius, Curlew, and
Swallow destroyed a convoy of wagons near Genitchi, which place
was the scene of a more spirited affair on July 8rd.
On that day. Lieutenant William Nathan Wrighte Hewett, then
commanding the Beayle, 4, screw, made a careful examination of
the floating bridge which joined the town to the extremity of the
long spit of Arabat, and which thus formed part of one of the
mihtary roads southward to the Crimea. Determining to destroy it,
be despatched his gig, under Gunner John Hailes, and a paddle-box
boat, iTuder Midshipman Martin Tracey {Vesuvius), covering their
approach with a hot lire directed upon the troops which hned the
beach and occupied the neighbouring houses. The boats were riddled
with bullets, tb(^ enemy being not more than eighty yards from the
bridge hawsers, wineli iiad to lie severed ; and two of their pco]>lc
were wounded. The actual work of cutting was most coolly accom-
plished by a seaman, Joseph Trewavas, lent from the Agamenuion .
This gallant fellow, who was slightly hit, was subsequently given
the Victoria Cross. At about llic same time, the 11 V.sc/-, (j, paddle,
destroyed some stores in the neighhourhood. There was afterwards
a period of bad weather, dining which the s(iuadron had to seek
refuge under the spit of Lerutch, to the north-east: but coaling,
provisioning, and completing stores were proceeded w illi ; and, as
oppoitunit) offered, fisheries, guard-houses, barracks, and stores on
that spit, and on the spit of Aiahat, were destroyed. The only
remaining floating bridge betvviaui .Vrabat Spit and the Crinusi was,
during that period, burnt by the Cur/nr. i'ldni two long and
' He was bravely carrieil back tn ibc treiichoH liy Male .Inlni I!:irkcr lliuMcU, tho
only oflit'cr witli liini, and IWd privates, but survived a very slinrt lime.
460 MILITARY JUsTOnr OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1850.
interesting dispatches from Os1)orn, dated respectively July 17tli
and July '21st, the following passages, descriptive of the operations
of the week then ended, are taken : —
" A lull iu the weather enabled me t(j put to sea ou July 13th fur a sweep ruuud
the Sea of Azof, the Ardent, Wi-sei; and Clinker being left under the orders of Lieu-
tenant Horton ' to harass Genitclii and Arabat. . . . l)elaye<l by the weather, we did
not reach Berdiansk until July 15th. ... I hoisted a tlag of truce, in order, if possible,
to get the wonieu and children removed from the town ; but, as that met with no reply,
and the surf rendereil landing extremely hazardous, I hauled it down, and the squadron
conuuenced to fire over the town at the forage and corn-stacks behind it ; and 1 soon
had the satisfaction of seeing a fire break out exactly where it was wanted. ... It
became necessary to move into deeper water for the night; and, from "ur ilistant
anchorage, the fires were seen burning throughout the night.
"On the 10th the allied squadron^ proceeded to l-'ort Petrovski, between Berdiansk
and Mariopol. . . . There were evident symptoms of an increase to the fortifications. . . .
At 9.;!0 A.Ji., all arrangements being made, the squadron named in the margin ' took
up their positions, the li.:ht-draught gunboats taking up stations east and west of the
fort, and enfilading the works in front and rear, whilst the heavier vessels formed a
semicircle round the front. The heavy nature of our ordnance . . . soon not only
forced the garrison to retire from the trenches, but also kept at a respectable distance
the leserve force, consisting of three strong battalions of infantry, and two squadrons of
cavalry. We then connnenced to fire with carcasses, but, although partially successful,
I was obliged to .send the light boats of the squadron to complete the destruction of the
fort and batteries, a duty I entrusted to Lieutenant Hubert Campion. . . . Although
the enemy, from an earthwork to the rear, o]iened a sharp fire on our men, Lieutenant
Campion conqileted this service in the most able and perfect manner, without the loss
of oiu! man. . . . Leaving the Swalloir ... to check any attempt of the enemy to
reoccujiy the fort . . . the rest of the squadron proceeded to destroy great quantities of
forage, and some most extensive fisheries, situated upon the White House Spit, and
about the mouth of the river Berda." . . .
"On July 17th, in consequence of information received of extensive depots of corn
and forage existing at a town called Glofira,* upon the Asiatic coast, near Gheisk, I
proceetled there with the squadron. . . . The \'esuvius and SivaVow were obliged to
anchor some distance oti' shore. I therefore sent Commander llowley Lambert {Curlew),
with the gunboats Fancy, Grinder, Boxer, Cracker, Jasper, Wrangler, and boats of
Vesueius and Swalloir. . . . Lambert found Glofira and its neighbourhood swarming
with cavalry. ... He therefore very properly confined his operations to destroying,
upon Glofira Spit, some very extensive corn and fish stores. . . . From Glofira, 1 next
proceeded to the Crooked Spit, in the Gulf of Azof, the Freiicli squadron parting
' Lieut. William Horton, promtd. Com. Aug. 18tli, 1855.
- It included the two French steam sloo]is 3lilan and Mouette, uuder Capt. ile t'intre,
who put himself, though senior officer, at Osboru's dis]iosal. Lyons to Admlty.,
July 30th.
^ Vesuvius, 6,-padd., Com. Sherard Osboru ; Curlew, 9, ser., Com. Rowley Lambert ;
Sivallow, 9, scr.. Com. Frederick Augustus Buchanan Craufurd; Fancy, scr. g.b..
Lieut. Charles Gerveys Grylls ; Grinder, scr. g.b., Lieut. Francis Trevor Hamilton ;
Boxer, scr. g.b., Lieut. Samuel Philip Townsend ; Cracker, scr. g.b., Lieut. Joseph
Henry Marryat ; Wraixjler, 4, scr., Lieut. Hugh Talbot Burgoyue; Jasper, scr. g.b.,
Joseph Samuel Hudson ; and Beagle, 4, scr., Lieut. William Nathan Wrighte He^vett.
■* Properly Ghifirovka.
1855.] OSBOIIN 7X THE SEA OF AZOF. 461
cuiiiiiaiiy to liarass tlie enemy in tlie ueiglibuur'nond of Kauiieshwa and Obitoclina. Tlie
squadron rcaidied Crooked Spit the same dav (-Tuly IHtli); and T humediately ordered
Commander Cranl'iird, in the Stvallotc, supported by tlio gunlmats Griialer, JIuxer
and Cracker, and the boats of Vesuvius, Curlttv, and Fancy, under Lieutenants
Grylls, Rowley and Sulivau,' to . . . clear the spit . . . and destroy the great fishing
estaWishments situated upon it. Conuuander Craul'urd executed this service with great
vigour. . . . While this service was being executed, I recoimoitred the mouth of the
river Mious, fifteen miles west of Taganrog, in H.M.S. Jasper. . . . The shallow
nature of the coast would not allow us to approach within a mile and three-quarters of
what in the chart is marked Fort Temenos. ... 1 returned to the same place, accom-
panied by the boats of H.M.S. Vesuvius and Curlew, and H.M. gunboats Crm-.ker,
Boxer, and Jasper. . . . Wlicii we got to Fort Temsnos, and the usual Cossack picket
had been driven off, I and Commander Lambert proceeded at once with tlie light boats
into the river. When there, and immediately under Fort Temenos, which stands upon
a steep escarp of eighty feet, wc found oiu'selves looked down upon by a large body of
both horse and foot, lining the ditch and parapet of the work. Landing on tiie opposite
bank, at good rifle-shot distance, one boat's crew, under Lieutenant Rowley,- was sent
to destroy a collection of launches and a fishery, whilst a careful and steady fire of
Minie rities kei)t the Russians from advancing upon us. .\ssuring ourselves of the
non-e.\istence of any object worth hazarding st) small a force any further for, we
returned to the vessels, passing within i>istol-shot of the Russian ambuscade. . . . The
gig of the (rr/H(^ )•, under Lieutenant Hamilton, had a narrow escape upon the same dav
from a similar ambuscade, at a place called Kirpe, ten miles east of Mariopol. ... On
July 19th, I reconnoitred Taganrog in the Jasjjc/- gunboat. A new battery was being
constructed on the lieights near the hospital, but, although two shots were thrown
into it, it did not reply. . . . To put a stop ... to all traffic . . . and to harass the
enemy in this neighbourhood, I have ordered Commander Craufurd to reioain in the
GuU of Azof wit li two gunboats." . . .
Oil .)iil.\' 'l^hh. the Becu/lc, wliicli li;i(l l)eeu detached, rejoined
Sherard Osboni, and reported that a landing-party from \\v.v had
destroyed i'lulher stores and granaries in the neighbourhood. A
few days later, the Jasper, screw gunboat, Lieutenant Joseph yamuel
Hudson, having grounded on the Krivaia, was, perhaps somewhat
hastily, abandoned and blown up. Hlie was the only craft that was
lost during the whole of the Azof operations, although these did not
cease until some time after the fall of Hebastopol. Before the end
of July, the Ardent wrought fresh destruction at Genitchi, where
the enemy had built new storehouses ; and Hherard Osborn. willi his
flotilla, ])aid tinother visit to Berdiansk. On August ")th, iir re-
appeared off Tagam-og, and ctiptured some guns; on August (i Ttii,
he destroyed barracks and stores at Petrusheua ; on August '2Hrd, '
liuving returned to (rcnitchi, his .ships shelled the camp ;ind trenches
there ; on thtit day and the following, in spite of a brisk lire from
the enemy, he wrecked some stoicjs at Kiril and Gorelia ; on .-Vugust
' This was Lieut. George Lydiard Sulivan ( Vcsuuius\
' Lieut. Charles John Rowley (Curleiv).
^ Sherard Osborn was ])osted on Aug. 18th, 1855.
462 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
•27th, he repulsed the llussiaus, and did new damage, at Genitchi
and at Kiril ; and on August 30-31st, while the Wese}- and Cracher
destroyed a bridge and government buildings in the bay of Arabat,
the Wrangler and the boats of the Vesiivins burnt some depots of
supplies at Mariopol, losing however, as prisoners, two officers ; and
the Grinder made a reconnaissance of Taganrog under fire. On
September 13th, the Cracker s boats destroyed the fishing estabhsh-
ments and forage stores at Perebond.
Towards the end of September, operations in a new direction
were undertaken, the Azof flotilla lending its co-operation to a some-
what similar force under Captain liobert Hall, of the Miranda, 16,
screw, senior officer in the Strait of Kertch. This latter flotilla
consisted, besides the Miranda, of the Li/u.r, 4, screw. Arrow, 4,
screw. Snake, 4, screw, Harpy, 1, paddle, and Sidina, together with
the French gunboats MitraiUe, Alerte, Alarme, Bourrasque, .Rafale,
Mutine, Stridente, and Meiirfrihr, under Commandant Bouet ;
and it had on board three companies of the 71st British regiment,
and six companies of French infantry. On the peninsula of
Taman, to the east of the Strait of Kertch, the enemy had
built at Taman and Fanagoria (Fanagorinsk) barracks capable of
sheltering a large number of men, the idea apparentl}^ being to
assemble a small army there at the approach of winter, with a view
to crossing the strait upon the ice, and falling upon Kertch. Leaving
that place, the expedition arrived opposite Taman at about 11 A.M.
on September •24th, and disembarked the troops under cover of the
fire of the vessels without accident. Taman was observed to have
been abandoned. The force then advanced to Fanagoria, where the
fort and buildings were occupied. They contained sixty- two pieces
■of artillery, all of which were rendered unserviceable. In the mean-
time a body of about six hundred Cossacks assembled, only, how-
ever, to be scattered by shells from the ships. In the following
night the same force attempted a surprise, but found the Allies
alert, and so retired. All useful stores were sent across to Kertch,
the rest, with all pul)lic buildings, being destroyed.
To make a diversion, and to harass and check the enemy at
Temriouk, Sherard Osbom's Azof flotilla entered Temriouk Lake on
the morning of September •24th, and was joined by the French
steamers Milan, Caton, and Fidton. The town could not be reached,
even by the boats, owing to the extreme shallowness of the water ;
but a body of 2000 troops was detained in Temriouk, and prevented
1855.] OSBOBN IN TJIK SEA OF AZOF. 463
from moving towards Tamaii ; and a bridge, across which it might
have advanced, was bmiit.
Ou October 9th, Sherard Osborn set out on a series of fresh
raids. He was, however, temporai>ily w'ithoiit most of his smaller
gunboats, which had been withdrawn by Lord Lyons to assist in the
operations against Kinburn. Ou the night of October 10th, a boat
belouging to the Weser stole up the Salgir river, burnt some stacks
of corn and forage, and got away without loss, though heavily fired
upon by Cossacks. On October l.")th at Crooked Spit, and on
October 18th at White House Spit, the h'rrniit, under lire, did
much damage among boats and fishing establishments. Ou October
■20th, at Crooked Spit, the Ardent destroyed more boats, and dis-
persed a body of cavalry. On October '24th a landing-party, sup-
ported by the T>.s//('/'«.s, wrecked some rifle-pits and small vessels at
Bieloserai Spit, and scattered a weak force of troops. And on the
same day, at Mariopol, the liecniit wrought further destruction.
At about that time the gunboats which had been temporarily
detached to share in the Kinburn expedition rejoined Sberard
Osbom, who, late in the evening of November 3rd, anchored with
his whole force, in sixteen feet of water, off Gheisk-Liman, with
designs against the enormous stores of corn, forage and fuel which
he knew to be in the neighbourhood. He took all available men out
of the Vesuvius, which he left in the offing ; and he drew strong
parties from the Weser, Curlew, and Ardoit, which remained in
charge of Lieutenant John Francis Koss {Weser), who had orders
to close in on the north side of Gheisk, and tn Ik; prepared to co-
operate. With the boats in tow of the liecrult. Lieutenant George
Fiott Day, Boxer, Lieutenant Sanniel Philip Towusend, Cracker,
Lieutenant Joseph Heiu-y Marryat, Clinker. Lieutenant Josejih
Samuel Hudson, and Criiidtr, Lieutenant b'l'ancis Trevor Haniiltdii,
Sherard Osborn departed at dawn on November 4th, and, at (5.30 a.m.,
appeared off Vodina, three miles north of Glofira. Commando' John
James Kennedy (6'(//'/r«'), covered by the gun-vessels, was sent in with
the boats, and, lamling, soo)i set fire to numerous .stores. He retired
safely, just as a force of Cossacks rode up. Glofira w'as next attacked.
Since it had been visited in the previous July it had been nmcb
strengthened, and larger supplies tlian evei' had l)een accumulated
there. While the Recruit, (Irimlir. lUi.rer, and ('nirl.-ir (i|>cniMl
on the entrenchments with shra]iii(l, and on the cornstacks with
carcasses, some lioats imdcr Kcniu'dy. tDWcd in bv (be ('linker.
4f)4 MILITARY IIISTOnr OF THE ROYAL NAYY, 1816-1856.
endeavoured to outflank the defences ; but not until Lieutenants
George Fiott Day, and Plubert Campion, supported by a howitzer
boat and two rocket boats, had been landed with seamen and
Marines, and had executed a verj gallant charge, were the defenders
dislodged from their works, and driven back, and all the stores set
in flames. This landing-party re-embarked with but one man
wounded. By that time, Lieutenant Boss and the vessels ofl' Gheisk
were seen to be engaged. They succeeded in keeping off the enemy
while Commander Kennedy burnt additional stores. During the
night, the fires extended over a front of two miles.
Early on November 6th, Sherard Osborn, with the gunboats and
boats, entered the Liman, the gunboats, thanks to the skill of actg.
Master George David Perry {Vesuvius), and Second Master William
Hennessey Parker {Beer nit), were anchored as far in as possible at
the east end of Gheisk, near which stores were stacked along a front
of four miles. Covered by the gunboats, four separate parties were
landed, respectively commanded by (1) Lieutenants George Fiott
Day, and Samuel Philip Townsend ; {•!) Commander John James
Kemiedy, with Lieutenants Francis Trevor Hamilton, Hubert
Campion, Joseph Henry Marryat, and Kichard Charles Mayne
(actg.) ; (3) Lieutenants Augustus Chetham Strode, and Joseph
Samuel Hudson ; and (4, from the TTVsvr".',- division) Lieutenants
John Francis Eoss, and Gover Kose Miall. Each party met with
some slight resistance ; but each accomplished its object ; and, by
2 P.M., the entire force was re-embarked, having lost only 6 men
wounded. Sherard Osl)orn then burnt some stores at Glofira that
had escaped the conflagration of the 4th, and returned to the
Vesuvius. He says ^ : —
" I despair of being able to convey to j-ou an)' idea uf tbe extraordinary quantity of
corn, rye, hay, vrood, and other supplies so necessary for tlie existence of Eussian
armies, both in the Caucasus and in the Crimea, which it has been our good fortune to
destroy. . . . During these proceedings we never had more than 200 men engaged.
The enemy had, from the concurrent testimony of Lieuts. Eoss .and Strode, and from
my own observation, from 3000 to 4000 men in Gheislv alone."
This was practically the end of the operations in the Sea of Azof.
Among the honours and promotions consequent upon the good work
done there may be mentioned : —
To be C.B., Captain Sherard Osborn (Feb. 4th, 1856).
To be Captain, Commander Sherard Osborn (Aug. 18th, 1855).
„ „ Commander Eowley Lambert (Sept. 29th, 1855).
Osbom to Lyons, Nov. 7th.
1855.] THE VALUE OF THE A/.OF OPERATIONS. 465
To be Captain, Commander John Jaines Kennedy (Feb. 1st, 1856).
„ „ Commander Cowper Pliipps Coles (Feb. 'JTtb, 1856).
„ ., I'onimaniier Fredeiiek Auau^tvis Buchanan Craufurd (May 10th,
IHyi;).
To be Commander, Lieutenant John Francis Campbell Mackenzie (May 29th, 1855).
Lieutenant William Horton (Aug. 18tb, 1855).
„ ., Lieutenant Joseph Henry Marryat (Nov. 5th, 1855).
„ „ Lieutenant George Fiott Day (Nov. 19th, 1855).
,, „ Lieutenant Iluljert Campion (Deo. 7th, 1855).
Lieutenant William Cecil Buckley (Feb. 2Tth, 1856).
„ „ Lieutenants John Francis Ross, Augustus Chetliam Strode,
Charles Gerveys Grylls, and Hugh Talbot Bur-
goyne (May lOtli, 1856).
Ill addition, seven or eight N'ictoria Crosses were won in the
course of the expeditions to Kertch and the Sea of Azof.
In England, the work done hy Lyons and Sherard Oshorn was
the subject of some unfavourable criticism on the part of certain
excellent people who professed to believe that hostilities could best
be carried on by sparing the enemy as mtxch as possible. Tender-
ness in war is, unfortunately, no better than a very refined form of
cruelty. It leads to a prolongation of resistance, and so to increased
sacrifice of life and treasure on both sides. Moreover, it encourages
falser hopes. When war has once been entered upon, it should be
carried forward, like every other work that is to be performed
economically and effectively, with energy, thoroughness, and un-
bending sternness. Even when such a policy upon occasions
involves hardship to iiidi\iiliials who arc not directly offensive, it
still tends to effect its oijjei't, wliicli is an early attainment of a
definite result. No doubt, much private property, and some civilian
lives were incidentally destroyed by the Azof flotilla. On the other
liand, the work of that llolilia, while it deprived the Kussian ai'my of
many of its most necessary supplies, and so crippled the military
power of the Tsai', also inclined the coast populations most ardently
to desire peace. In 1855 the Eussian people had still less nominal
influence than they have now upon tht; policy of their rulers; yet, in
despotisms as well as in constitutional lands, the people have ever
been the supreme arbiters ; and that which they have willed with
determination has tilmost iiivtirialdy \k'v\\ the policj' which the
government has ultimately deemed it wise to pursue. It is foolish,
there^fore, to pi'cteiid that war is made upon governments and not
upon peoples, and that distiiu^tinn ought to l)e made between the
two. 1 1 iiim;i nity and civ iiisatioii (Iciiiaiid that women and children
vol,. VI. 2 n
466 MILITARY lIISTOIiV OF TIIK ROYAL NAVY, l.siG-1856.
should not be wilfully or directly exposed to the actual ravages of
shot and shell ; hut they demand also that women and children, as
well as men and actual fighters, should be made to feel the general
pressure of war as acutely as possible ; for the sooner the majorit}'
cii a people agree that the situation has become intolerable, the
sooner submission and peace will come.
Before Sebastopol, the Naval Bngade ashore, and the fleet afloat
continued to aflbrd grateful support to the allied armies. From July
16th to July 19th, there was some bombardment of the forts from
seaward, and again from August 6th to August 9th. In the trenches
there was hot work almost continuously. There were almost daily
alarms of intended sorties ; and Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel,
with his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-
Langenburg,^ was kept fully emploj-ed. On August 17tb, the day
after the battle of the Tchernaya, a general bombardment was opened
with the object of covering some advance of the French approaches.
The Kussians replied with their usual spirit, and, besides disabUng
two of the naval guns, killed Commander Lacon Ussher Hammet,
of the AUjioii, and 6 others, and wounded 16.
On August '27th, in the course of Lord Stratford de Kedcliffe's
visit to the Crimea, several naval officers, including Eear-Admirals
Sir Edmimd Lyons, and Houston Stewart, were invested with the
insignia of the Bath, as evidence of Her Majesty's approval of their
conduct at the front. The recipients had been nominated on the
previous July 5tb, on which occasion more naval appointments to,
and promotions in, the Most Honourable Order had been made than
on any one date since the enlargement of the Order in 181.5. The
number of naval G.C.B.s thus conferred in a single Gazette was
fom- ; of K.C.B.s, twelve ; and of C.B.s, no fewer than forty-five.
Among the G.C.B.s were Vice-Admiral Sir James ^^^litley Deans
Dundas, and Eear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons ; among the K.C.B.s,
Kear-Admirals Houston Stewart, Hon. Montagu Stopford, Henry
Ducie Chads, Michael Seymour ('2), Henry Byam Martin, and
Stephen Lushington ; and among the C.B.s, Captains Frederick
Thomas Michell, Lord George Paulet, Lord Edward Russell, Sydney
Colpoys Dacres, Thomas Matthew Charles Symouds, George St.
Vincent King, Hastings Reginald Yelverton, Bartholomew James
' Afterwards Admiral Count Gleicheu. " He shod his own horses, aud, 1 tliiiik, was
sorry when the war was over." Keppel, ii. lifU.
1«55.] EVACUATION OF SEBASTOPOL BEG UN. 467
Snlivau, George Giffiinl, .Tolin Moore (4), William Peel, Astley
Cooper Key, William Moorsom, William Eobert Mends, William
Houston Stewart, Lord John Hay (3), and Richard Ashmore
Powell. In addition, a K.C.B. and two C.B.s were given to officers
of the Koyal Marines.
Towards the end of August, the I\ussians manifested an intention
of preparing for the abandonment of the south side of Sebastopol.
This circumstance was probabl}' not without its influence upon
the engineer and artillery officers of the allied armies ; and they
eventually induced the military commanders-in-chief to order that a
general bombardment of the place should be begun on Wednesday,
September 5th, kept up for three days, and followed by a vigorous
assault upon the Malakoft" and the Great Redan, close to which
the trenches had by that time been pushed. Accordingly, a heavy
fire was opened at daylight on the appointed day, and was
continued, with but short periods of partial intermission, until the
morning of the 8th. On the e\'ening of the 5th, a Russian two-
decker, moored off the dockyard sheers, burst into flame ; and,
during the night, she was completely destroyed. On the 7th,
another Russian two-decker was burnt. At noon on the 8th, the
French troops successfully stormed the Malakoff. The British
attack, made a little later on the Great Redan, was bloodily
repulsed, chiefly because it was made in insufficient force, and
because the approaches had not been carried so close to that woik
as to the Malakoff. French assaults on the Central Bastion, and
on the Little Redan of Careening Bay, were also repulsed. But
the key to the entii-e position had been taken ; and the Russian
oommander-in-ciiief, at about K I'.M., Ijegan to withdraw quietly
from the soutli side of the fortress which he had so long and so
well (lc^fenil(Ml. At midnight some Jiritish soldiers crept into the
Redan, and found it abandoned. A little later fires broke out in
llie town, followed hy tcirililc explosions. At 5.;}0 A.M. on the Dtli.
two of the southern forts were blown uii. l')y 7 a.m. the last of
the Russian troops had crossed to the north of the harbour, and
tlie bridge of boats over which they had passed had been dragged
after Iheni. Daylight showed that all the men-of-war in the
harbour, sa\e one frigate and two small steanjers, had been sunk
or destroyed. V]\cn these three were destroyed by the Russians
on ilir loth or lltli. It had \>rvi\ intended that the fleets should
take part in tlir linul lioniliiirdmrnt ; hut tlusy were prevented by
2 H -2
468 MILITAEY HISTOUY OF THE IWYAL NAVY, 181(i-185«.
a strong N.W. gale from weighing to do so. Says General Sir
James Simpson, in his dispatch of September 9th : —
" The boisteruus weather rendered it altogether iuipossible for the Admirals to fulfil
their intention of bringing the broadsides of the allied fleets to bear upon the Quaran-
tine batteries ; but an excellent effect was produced by the animated and well-directed
fire of their mortar-vessels, those of Her Majesty being under the direction of Captain
Willcox,' of the Odin, and Captain Digby,^ of tlie Royal ^larine Artillery. . . . The
Naval Brigade, under the command of Captain tlic Hun. Henry Keppei, aided by Captain
Moorsom^ and many gallant oflicers and seamen, wlio have served the guns from the
commencement of the siege, merit my warmest thanks. The prompt, liearty, and
efBcacious co-operation of Her Majesty's Navy, commanded by Kear-Admiral Sir
Edmund Lyons, ably seconded by Sir Houston Stewart, lias contrilnitcd most materially
to the success of our undertaking."
The dispatch of Jiear-Admiral Sir Ediuimd Lj'ous, dated
September 10th, adds very httle to the information given in the
above extracts. Captain .Tames "VVillcox reported : — ^
"... Acting in pursuance of your directions, and in conjunction witli Capt. Bachm,
commanding four French inortar-vessels you did me the honour of placing under my
conunand, a fire was kept up till 7 p.m. against tlie Quarantine Fo.-t and outworks, as
well as upon Fort Alexander and the upjier bastions (where, near to the latter place, a
large number of the enemy's reserve were posted), keeping their fire so completely
imder that only a few shot and shell were returned, and but few fired into the French
batteries and works before us. A small number of carcasses were also successfully
thrown into the town and upper liastions, wliicli produced a conflagration of some
extent. ... I am glad of the opportunity of bringing to your notice the indefatigable
and zealous conduct of Mr. H. K. Leet,'* Mate in charge of the Finn, wlio, from being
the senior officer of the mortar-vessels, has always ably carried out my instructions ;
and I am happy to bear testimony to the ]iraise\vorthy conduct of Messrs. .J. B. Creagh,"
T. L. Pearson," H. AV. Brent,* A. F. Hurt," and Henry Vaughan,'" Mates in charge of
the other mortar-vessels. I have also great pleasure in stating that no casualty
occurred, and that neither tlie mortars or vessels were at all damaged by the heavy
firing."
The mortar-vessels were stationed for this service in Streletska, or
Arrow, Bay. Captain George Stephen Digby, R.M.A., in his report,"
made favourable notice of the abihty displayed by First Lieutenants
(E.M.) Edward Henderson Starr, Henry Hewett, Francis Worgan
Festing, WiUiam Pitman, and Joshua Kowland Brookes.
' Capt. James Willcox was made a C.B., lel>. 4th, 1856.
- Capt. George Stephen Digby, R.M.A.
' Capt. William Moorsom, C.B.
' Willcox to Lyons, Sept. 8th.
'' Henry Knox Leet, Lieut. Sept. 'I'livX, 185.5.
" John Brasier Creagh, Lieut. Se|5t. Ii2ud, 1855.
' Thomas Livingstone Pearson, Lieut. Jan. 5th, 1856.
» Harry Woodfall Brent, Lieut. Jan. 5th, 185G.
° Albert Frederick Hurt, Lieut. June 'J3rd, 1856.
'" Henry Vaughan, Lieut. Feb. 22ud, 185(i.
" Digby to Lyons, Sej.it. 8th.
1^55.] SEBASTOPOL DOCKS DESTIiOYED. 4G9
The Kussiiin ships destroyed from first to last at Sebastopol
were stated to have beeu as follows : —
Saiiiug ships of tlie line : rtve 120's, eight 8-1's, one 80.
Saihng frigates : four 60's.
Sailing corvettes and brigs : three 20*8, tsvo 18"s.
Sailing vessels, miscellaneous: eighty-two, including sixty-four gunboats.
Steam-vessels : si.x large, including the Miidhnir nnd Besaitrahia, and six smaller.
The above mounted about 2200 guns.
By September li)th, the Kaval Bri^jade had been re-embarked.
Such of the Koj'al Marines as had beeu landed were re-embarked
early in the following mouth. A little later, nearly all the magni-
ficent naval works, including the docks, at Sebastopol, were
destroyed. A British naval officer who examined them in the
interval wrote : —
"AValking round the edge of Dockyard Creek, wo soon came to the docks. We
arrived suddeidy among the wonders of Sebastopol ; anil all that we had heard of
the glories of the place faded away before the magnificent reality. First of all we
ins])ected a dock where ships of the largest size were hauled up out of the water, or
launched again, by means of a cradle, placed on a tram-road. This is the work of the
I'^.iiglishraan, Upton. Then we came to the intended government foundry, whose walls
were rising to the height of ten feet, over a space of nearly twelve acres. Part of this
was obtained by cutting away the spur of a mountain. The remainder of the hill was
upheld by a freestone wall, every stone beautifidly squared and fitted, to the height of
.'J50 feet. . . . We then went to see the famous docks. 'J'hese consist of a series I'f
locks, like canal locks, the upper end being twenty feet higher than the entrance lock,
which is even with the level of the sea. The upper end has three locks abreast. Then
comes a compartment equal in area to three ; then again three more, the middle one of
which is entered by three other locks from the harbour; making altogether nine
cdiambers, as it were, and the large space in the middle. These are all dry, but can be
tilled with water puin]XHi into them by two steam engines. Each chamber is 270 feet
loLg, GO feet wide, and contains tVom '1~> to 37 feet of water at pleasure. A large ship
can be floated into an upper lock ; all the water can then be let (j|f, and the ship left in
her cradle as dry as if m\ shore. The docks, with their magnilicent masonry casings of
gigantic granite blocks, steam-engines, and iron gates, with the aqueducts for bringing
down w ater from the Tcbernaya, cost £20,000,000 sterling." '
After the occupation of the south side of Sebastopol tind the
complete destruction of the Kussian fleet, the allied navies in the
Black Sea were left at liberty to strike a blow at some other part
of the coast. It was not, iif)wever, until after a council of wtir
held on September 30th tiiat the naval and military commanders-
in-chief determined to make an attack upon Kinburn.
'I'lu^ fortress of K'iiiliiiiii occupies the western extremity of a
spit which forms the southern boundary of ti considciablc l)asiii
known as the TviniMii of the ])iiic])('r. ftito this basin, in addition
' Xaut. Mug., 1855, (luG.
470 MILITARY UIf<TORy OF THE ROYAL NAVY, L816-1856.
to tile iJnieper, iiow the united streams of the rivers Bug aiul
Ingul ; aud, at the junction of the Bug and Ingul, at some distance
from the sea, stands the important naval arsenal of Nicolaief, while
near the mouth of the Dnieper is Kherson, one of the richest of
the commercial centres of Kussia. The narrow channel into the
Liman passes between the fortress of Otchakof on the north, and
the fortress of Kinburn on the south, but lies closer to the latter
than to the former. Consequently, the possession of Kinbvirn by
the Allies would completely close the navigation of the Bug and
Dnieper. It would also menace the communications and rear of
the large Eussian army which was still in the Crimea.
In 1855, the defences at Kinburn consisted of a citadel of
masonry, with earthen parapets, washed in some places l)y the sea
aud in others by the waters of a deep ditch, aud mounting about
sixty gmis, some in casemates, and some in a barbette battery above.
This citadel, which had an all-round command, was supported by
two batteries placed at the extreme end of the spit, on a narrow
strip of sand. The entire armament of the works, according to
French accounts, was 80 guns and 20 mortars. Of these, 81 pieces
only appear to have been in position.
The expedition, which was conuuanded b}- Admirals Lyons and
Bruat, was a far more powerful one than was absolutely necessary
for the contemplated work. It comprised 10 screw ships of the
line, with about 80 other vessels — frigates, sloops, gunboats, mortar-
boats, tenders, and transports ; it had on board 4000 British, and
a rather larger number of French troops ; and it is remarkable
as having included the three French armoured floating batteries
Tonnante, Lave, and Devastation, which, built for the attack on
Sebastopol, had arrived on the scene a few days after the fall of
the place. These batteries were constructed after plans which had
first been advocated in 184'2 by Captain Labrousse, of the French
navy, and which, in 1855, were improved upon under the personal
superintendence of the Emperor Napoleon. They were the earliest
armoured steam-ships ; and their appearance in action marks the
first beginning of, perhaps, the greatest revolution which has ever
been experienced in the science of naval warfare.
The fleets sailed from the neighbourhood of Sebastopol on
October (ith and 7th, and arrived at a rendezvous off Odessa on
the 8th. Fogs and strong S.S.W. winds prevented their appearance
off Kinburn imtil the afternoon of the 14th. Rear-Admiral Sir
1855.] ATTACK oX KINJir/.'S. 471
Houston Stewart then transferred his flaj,' IVdiu the Hniuiibal, i)U,
screw, to the Valorous, 10, paddle, and, in jmrsuancc of orders,
stationed his division of steam-vessels off the entrance to the Liniaii,
being assisted in his selection of positions by Captain Thomas Abel
Bremage Spratt, of the Spitfire, 5, paddle. The corresponding
French division was commanded by Eear-Admiral Odet Pellioii.
The Commander-in-Chief, with the lax'ger vessels, anchored further
out. When it became dark, the Cracker, gunboat, Lieutenant
Joseph Henry Marryat, with two boats of the Tribune, and Masters
Edward Wolfe Brooker* (additional of Hpiffirc), and Thomas Potter
(Furious, but lent to Valorous), was sent to buoy the channel
between the mainland and the end of the spit ; and, as soon as he
signalled that the operation had been effected, he was joined by the
gunboats Funcij, Lieutenant Charles Gerveys Grylls, Boxer, Lieu-
tenant Sanmel Philip Townsend, and Clinker, Lieutenant Joseph
Samuel Hudson, as well as by the French gunboats Tirailleuse,
Stridente, Meurtrihre, and Mutine, which together passed the forts
and anchored within, so as to afford as much prcjtection as possible
to the right flank of the troops upon disembarkation taking place;.
The enemy fired shot, shell, and musketry at them as they went in,
but caused them no damage. Sir Houston Stewart, outside, was,
of course, left in some doubt as to bow far the channel had l)ctn
l^uoyed for larger ships. At 10 .\.m. on the 1.5tli, therefore, Marryat
and Brooker, in the Cracker, most gallantly repassed the batteries
under a heavier fire than before, and personally reported to the liear-
Admiial on the subject of the difficult navigation." That morning
the troops, under the orders of General Bazaine, and Brigadier-
General the Hon. A. A. Spencer, were landed about three miles
to the southward of the citadel, so as to cut off the retreat of the
liussian garrison by land. In the evening the mortar-vessels tii('<l
the ranges of their mortars against the main fort. The 16th brouglil
a brisk wind from the southward, and a heavy swell, and prevented
the opening of a bombardment ; but the day was well spent by the
troops ashore.
At iibout 9.80 -■v.M. on tlic 17l!i. tlicrt? bi^'ing a fine northerly
breeze, with smooth water, the i''rincli iloatiug batteries, mortar-
vessels, and gunboats, and the Valorous, IG, paddle, Captain
' Proiiita. til liu [iievit., .\'i>v. "itli, 1H55.
'' It wmilil appear iVoiu a iiaHsa;;e in Sir II. Stewart's ilisp. of Oct. ISlli, tlial tlie
Grinder, Lieut. Francis Trevor Hamilton, wiMit in ami took the Cniclcir's place.
472 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, lSl(i-1856.
Claude Henry Mason Buckle, C.B. (flag of Sir Houston Stewart),
Gladiator, 6, paddle, Captain Charles Farrel Hillyar, Odin, 16,
paddle. Captain James Willeox, Lynx, 4, screw, Amur, 4, screw,
Vij^er, 4, screw. Beagle, 4, screw. Snake, 4, screw, and Wrangler, 4,
screw, with the mortar-vessels Earen, Magnet, Camel, Hard;/,
Flanier, and Firm, took up positions off the fort, and began a
destructive lire, which was pluckily returned. The Tonnante and
her consorts, stationed at less than one thousand yards from the
enemy's guns, wrought much damage, and appeared to be them-
selves quite invulnerable. At noon, the Russian fire having been
sensibly reduced. Sir Houston Stewart, with the British vessels
above named, and also with the Furious, 16, paddle. Captain
William Loring, C.B., Sidon, 22, paddle. Captain George Goldsmith,
Leopard, 18, paddle, Captain George Giffard, C.B., Firebrand, 6,
paddle. Commander Edward Augustus Inglefield, Stromboli, 6,
paddle, Commander Cowper Phipps Coles, and Spiteful, 6, paddle,
Commander Francis Henry Shortt, and Rear-Admiral Odet Pellion's
division, passed through the channel. Each ship, as she got within
range, engaged the forts from the northward, while, at the same
time, the southern and western faces of the works were engaged by
Lyons * and Bruat, whose ships took up positions in the closest
possible order, with but two feet of water under the keels of some
of them. Having anchored inside, Stewart transferred his fla"
to the Cracker. The fire of such enormous forces as were brought
against the defences soon produced its effect, and the Russian
batteries gradually became silent, though they did not haul down
their colours. Lyons, from motives of hmnanity, suggested to
Bruat to discontinue the action ; but the French commander-in-
chief, prompted, perhaps, by motives as humane in reality though
not in appearance, declined to cease fixing until the garrison should
surrender. Lyons, thereupon, ordered his own ships to discontinue ;
and Bruat, after pouring in a protesting broadside, also desisted.
The Russian General Kokonovitch, upon being summoned, sub-
mitted ; and he and his 1400 men presently marched out with the
honoi;rs of war. He had lost 45 killed and 130 wounded. The
British ships had but two people hurt ; and even they owed their
' With Sir E. Lyons were the Roi/al Albert, 121, sor. (flac;) ; Capt. William Kohert
Mends; Algiers, 91, scr. ; Agamemnon, 91, scr. ; Princess Royal, 91, sor.; St. Jean
d'Acre, 101, scr.; Curagoa, 31, scr.; Tribune, .31, scr.; Sphinx, 6, padd. ; Hannibal.
91, scr. ; Dauntless, 31, scr. ; and Terr (We, 21, paddle.
1855.] CAPTUliK OF KINBUHN. 473
injuries lu the Ijur.stii)^' oT a gun in tlic Arruic. Un the lollownig
morning the enemy blew up their forts at Otchakof.'
1'hc operations at Kiiiluii'ii are i'einarkal)k! not only because they
witnessed the first employment of armoured vessels in modern
warfare, but also because they were among the earliest operations
on a large scale in which steam-vessels only were employed. Both
France and Great Britain entered on the campaign against Russia
believing that sailing ships of the hue might still he of some use.
Sailing ships, accordingly, figured in the fleets of 1854 in the Baltic
as well as in the Black Sea ; but the experience of a very few months
on each scene of action determined that they had ceased to be of
any practical value for fighting purposes. Thus may it be said that
sails and wood went out, and steam and iron came in, in 1855.
After the capture of Kinburn, a military reconnaissance was
made in the direction of Kherson ; and Rear- Admirals Stewart (in
the Stromboli), and Odet Pellion, with part of their divisions, pro-
ceeded to the mouths of the Bug and Dnieper. In the former rivei',
on October '20th, the Stromboli, Cracker, Spitfire, and Grinder had
a slight engagement with a battery. In the latter, two huge rafts
(jf valuable timber, intended for the arsenal at Nicolaief, were
captured. Kinburn was occupied by the Allies ; a division of ships,
including the French floating batteries, was ordered to remain before
it so long as the sea should be open ; and the rest of the expedition
returned to the neighbouiliood of Sebastopol, where it arrived on
November 3rd. During its absence there had been a slight brush
between the Allies and a Russian force near Lake Tougla on
October 26th. A littk^ later, i^iruat, with ])art of his fleet, sailed
for Toulon, where lu; intended to winter. On the way he was
struck down, as St. Arnaud and Raglan had been, by cholera, and
he died at sea on Novemlicr l'.)th. Lyons also quitted the Black
Sea, chiefly to attend a gi'cat international council of war which was
held in the winter at J'aris for the pui-pose of advising the allied
governments as to what naval and military opei-ations could most
advantageously be next undertaken. The council assembled, under
the presidency of the lMii[)eroi-, at tlie Tuileries, on January lOth,
|K5('), its British menibei's, in additimi to Sir Edmund Lyons, l)eing
ll.R.H. the Duke of Cand)ridge, Lord Cowley, Rear-Admiral the
Hon. Richard Saunders Dundas, C.B., and Generals Sir Richard
' IjyoiiK to Adiiilly., Oct. iblli ; Sli^wart tii Lyuiiti, Oct. Ibth ; Brunt's ilisii., and
order nf tlic day ; Clicvalier, 283 : Tyrri'll, ii. .'il.'J.
474 MJLITAHY HISTORY OF THE ROVAL NAVY, 1816-185C.
Aiiey. luuI Sir Harry Jones. No con(;lusious were ever arrived at ;
for, soou after it met, events began to assume a pacific complexion,
and, as early as January 16th,' Russia paved the way for a settle-
ment by unconditionally accepting certain proposals which had been
made by Austria as preliminaries of peace. In the interim, the
allied forces in the Black Sea confined themselves to holding such
positions as they had won, to repelling attacks, and to destroying
captured works and public buildings. The campaign, indeed, so far
as the Navy was concerned, practically ended with the occupation
of Kinburn.
Before proceeding to survey the work of the Navy in 1855 in the
Baltic, it may be well to glance briefly at what was done by the
fleets in that year on two less important stations.
In the White Sea, a squadron, consisting of the Mceander, 44,
Captain Thomas Baillie, Plianix, 8, screw, Commander John
Montagu Hayes,'- and Ariel, 9, screw. Commander John Proctor
Luce, with the French vessels CUopdtrc, H-2, Cocijtf, 6, and
Pi'frel, 4, blockaded the coasts. The British part of it quitted the
Downs on May 10th, rounded the North Cape on May 31st, formally
re-established the blockade on June 11th, and was joined a few days
later by the French contingent. Early in July, the Ariel, des-
patched to the Gulf of Meyeu, burnt a brigantine and two smaller
craft, but met with no opposition. She rejoined the Mceander ofl'
Cross Island on July 9th. At the same time, the PJiwiiix asud Petrel
cruised in the Gulf of Onega. Two of the PIiw nix's boats were fired
at near the village of Liamtsi, and the place was, in consequence,
bombarded ; but, probably, little damage was done to it. On
July l'2th, the Ariel relieved the Plwnix in the Gulf of Onega, and
the Phoenix returned to the Mictvider, off Ai'changel. The Ariel
visited Kio, Solovetskoi, Sosnovia, Umba, and the Gulf of Kandalak.
Near Kandalak her boats were attacked ; but a landing-party drove
off' the enemy, and, luider the fire of the sloop, the town was burnt.
In this afiair three seamen were wounded. On July 16th, the
Meeander was at Kouzemen, at the mouth of the Gulf of Kandalak.
A party of sixty men, irnder Lieutenant Hugh Maximilian Elliot,
having been landed to reconnoitre, met a body of 350 armed people ;
but, as Captain Baillie deemed that nothing was to be gained by
' Disp. of Count Esterhazy, Jan. llitli : followed by official Paissian circular of
.lau. lOth.
- Posted, July 'Jtb, 1855.
1855.] Ol'EHATIONti J.\ Till-: I'All EAUT. 47.J
attacking;, lie re-enibarkrd his little lorc-e. Tlu! I'liu tii.i , m a hrusli
with the enemy near Cape Kerets, had a man shot through the
head. The greater part of the s(]uadron reassembled off Archangel
on July 21st. ^ The British and French commanders at first in-
tended to spare small local craft ; l)ut when they ascertained that
these were used for the conveyance of muskets up and down the
coast, they changed their minds ; and thenceforward they prevented
even the smallest boats from moving out of port. The squadron did
not quit the White Sea itntil October i)th.
In the Pacific, Eear-Admiral Ib'ury William Bruce had been
appointed to command in Xovember, 1854. During the early
spring of 18-55, Pelropaulovski was watched by the Encounter, 14,
Captain George William Douglas O'Callagau, and Barracouta, l),'-
Coinmauder Frederick Henry Stirling; but those vessels had to
keep at some distance from the town ; and, on April 17th, taking
advantage of snow and fog, the whole garrison of the place embarked
in the men-of-war Aurora and Dirina, and four merchantmen, and
escaped into the river Amur, while the civil inhabitants removed
inland to the village of Avatcha. The guns were carried away or
buried. Consequently, when in May the allied squadrons,^ under
Bear-Admirals Bruce and Fourichon, appeared before the fortress
with the object of renewing the attack which had failed in the
previous September, nothing but empty works and deserted buildings
was found. Two Americans, and their French servant, alone re-
mained to receive the visitors ; and they had hoisted the American
flag. Tlie arsenals, batteries, and magazines were destroyed by the
Allies; but the town was spared. A whaler, whicli was discovered
hidden in Eakovia Harbour, was burnt, as, having neither sails nor
anchors, she could not easily be taken away. AVhile at Petro-
jiaiilovski, Heai--.\iliiiiial ISruce was able to upeii ii]> negotiations
with the interior, and to effect the exchange ( if two pri.souers. He
and Kear-Admiral Fouriclifin then visited Sitka. It was not forti-
' CniT. in 'J'iiiirs, :in(i Xanl. .\Jii:/. \)]r.\)>. nt liiiillie, ;inil (p|' I linllicil, of llu-
Ulevjjatn.
' Bolli vessels liiiil liueii ilet.-nlieit I'nr tlic |nii-]His(' IViiin tlie East Inclia sliiliMn liy
I'ear-Adin. Srr Jas. Stirling, Kt.
' Consist ing, in aililiticm to tlie Eiicuuntcr ami JlurrdcoiUn, of the I'nsidviil, 50
(flag), Cajit. Richard Biirridge; Pii/uc, -10, Cajit. Sir Frederick William Eiskine
Nicolson, Hart. ; Trincomalce, 21, Capt. Wallace Iloiistoun ; Dido, IH, Cajit. William
Jlenry Anderson Morshead, C.B. ; Amphitritc, 21, (Japt. Charles Fredorick ; and Brisk,
II, scr., Com. Frederick l}eaucham|i Pa<;ot Si'ym«mr ; with tlie French vossela Forte,
(iO, Alnsl.e, 54, Eurydicc, 32, and ()lilir/o(h, IH.
476 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1810-1856.
tied, neither did it contain any Russian men-of-war. It was, there-
fore, not attacked. While the Pique, Barracouta, and Amphitrltr
were left with Sir James StirHng to patrol the Sea of Okhotsk, the
rest of the allied squadrons separated, most of the British vessels
going to A^incouver Island, and most of the French to San Fran-
cisco.' On August 1st, the Barracouta overhauled the Bremen
brig Greta, under American colours ; and, as she had on board •111
seamen, part of the crew of the Russian frigate Diana, which had
been wrecked on the coast of Japan a few months earlier, she was
sent as a prize to Hong Kong, under Lieutenant Robert Gibson.
No attempt was made to follow the Aurora and Dwina into the
Amur, where they were reported to be very strongly posted behind
a bar on which was only 13 feet of water.
Much dissatisfaction was expressed in England at this second
failure in the extreme east; and the commanders of the Encounter
and Barracouta were freely blamed for what was popularly regarded
as negligence in allowing the two Russian men-of-war to escape
them.^ There was, however, no public intpiry into the circum-
stances ; and the Admiralty seems to have considered that both
officers did their duty.
Events in the Baltic may now be followed to their conclusion
without fm-ther interruption.
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier had liiniself made it impossible
that he could be again ordered to hoist his tlag. It is not necessary
to suppose that he was culpably to blame for his comparative in-
activity in 1851, and for his resultant fall from populax-ity. He was
an old officer, and he had undoubtedly lost much of the dash and
nerve of his brilliant youth. The Admiralty, however, may be held
to have made a mistake in the original appointment. On the other
hand, Napier, in his correspondence and interviews with his official
superiors, had betrayed so much temper that it was out of the
question for the Admiralty to repeat the same mistake. The Baltic
command in 1855 was, therefore, given to Rear-Admiral the Hon.
Richard Saunders Dundas, C.B., who just previously had held the
office of second Naval Lord ; and the fleet which was entrusted to
him, instead of being composed partly of saihng and partly of steam
ships, was made up wholly of steam-vessels, and was, in every other
respect, much more powerful and generally serviceable than the
' Bruce to Admlty., .June 15th ; July ITtli : Amer. corr. in H!. Land. News.
2 TyrreU, ii. 354."
1855.]
THE SECOMD BALTIC CAMPAIGN.
477
Baltic fleet of 1854 had been. Moreover, there were attached to it,
as will be seen, numerous small craft, mortar- vessels, and gunboats,
suitable for operations in narrow and shallow waters ; and it was
arranged that it was ultimately to be strengthened by the addition
to it of five armoured floating batteries, somewhat similar to those
whicli, as has been already s(-(!n, the French sent to the Black Sea,
liKAR-.\DM. THE HON. KlUHAUD SAUNDKUS UU.NUAS, L'.ll.
(nu-kinxuK, .Ml. .(■ ;///i.)
and used at the reduction of Kinliuiii. These vessels, unfortunately,
could not 1)0 got ready in linic for aclual ciiqiloymcnt. A list, as
complete as possible, nl Dundas's fleet of 1855 will l^e found on the
following page.
The first detaclnncnl of llic i;()nunanil weiglu'd anchor in the
Downs on March 28tli, and proceeded. Great part of the rest of it
sailed from Spithead on Wednesday, April 4th. The first division
of the French Baltic I'^'icct,' under Kear-Admiral Ponaiid, (|uitted
' Tuuruilh; Aualertil:., Dw/wsne, r/'Ansiis, uimI Ai</li.
478 MlLITAItr HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-lHr,(;.
Ships. ,
'A
p.
t'OMMANBKnS.
1
O
K
R.-Ad. Hon. R. S. Dumlas,
ipoA-e of Wel-\
lington . J
131 i
200
C.B.
Cnmmml. Hem. Fred. Thos.
Pelham.
'Capt. Hy. CaUwell.
1 R.-Ad. Mi'lucl .Seymour
\ (•!)■
1 Exmonth .
'.10
too
k'apt. \Vm. King Hall.
h'etrilnttion, \
padd. ... 1
2S
400
|R.-Ad. Riibt. Lambert
< Bayues, C.H.
leapt. Tlios. Fisher.
Royal Geoine .
102
too
\ „ Hy. J. CadriDgtoti,
1 C.B.
Javies Watt .
91
600
1 .. George Aug. Elliot
(2).
Orion . . .
91
600
f .. JiKi Elphinstone
I Erskine.
Cfpsar . . .
90
400
.lud. Rnbb.
mie . . .
no
500
., (Jeo. RudneyMimdy.
Cressy . . .
80
400
„ Rich. Laird'W aneii.
rolossus . .
80
400
( „ llobt. Speucer Robin-
liUnheim . .
60
450
1 .. William Ilutcheou
1 Hall.
flog lie . . .
60
450
William Kanisay.
^Kdinhnrgli
60
450
f .. Rich. .Strode Hew-
( lett.
Ajax . . .
60
450
„ Fred. Warden.
fTawJx . . .
60
200
„ Erasmus Ommanuey.
Wornuallis
60
200
i „ Geo. Gi-eville AVel-
\ lesley.
' Fembrolce .
60
200
f ,, (ie<). Heniy Sey-
1 m'liir.
' IfostiiufH .
60
200
f ., .Ta.-^. Crawford Cif-
\ fiu.
linpcrieiisc. .
51
360
( .. Rnndle Burges Wat-
\ sou, CB.
^Euryahis . .
51
400
,, Geo. Ramsay.
^Arrogant . .
41
360
( „ Hastings Reg. Yel-
) verU.n.
^ Aniphvm
36
300
,. A'tlpy Cooper Key.
^Cossack-. . .
20
250
( „ Edw. (icDuys Fan-
l shawe.
Fylades . .
21
350
( „ Edward Clayton T.
t D'Evncomt.
Esk . . . .
21
250
,. Tho'i. Eras. Birch.
Tartar . . .
20
250
Hugh I>nnlop.
Arclier . . .
13
203
„ Eiim. Heathcote.
ijifagicieiitte. }
padd. . -J
I Dragon, piidd.
16
400
„ Nicholas Vansittart.
6
560
f „ W'm. Houston
1 Stewart.
Bulldog, padd.
6
500
IfCom. Alex. Crombie Gor-
1( don.
I Vulture, padd.
6
470
iCapt. Fred. Hy. llasiiugs
1 Glasse.
Centaur, jiadd.
6
540
( ,, Wm Juo. Caven-
i\ disli Clifford.
tw'oigoH, padd. .
b
320
i/Com. Rich. Bitroiigh Craw-
A foni.
i Merlin, padd. .
6
312
1 Capt. Bar. Ja*;. Sulivan.
I (,'eyser, padd. .
6
280
1 Cora. Roderick Dew.
I I.ifjhtnivg, \
1 3
100
1 Lieut. .James Carter Camp-
padd.. . ./
1 bell.
Firefly, padil. .
! 4
220
Capt. Hy. Clias. Ottf-r.
SFHi's. 3 ' '^ , Commanders.
■^- • • "^^('-™- SSlas.""- ^
Jlariier . . IT 1110 „ Hy. Alex. Story.
Desperate . . 8 400 ., Rich. Dunuiug White.
(\mj\kt . . s 400 ,, a. S. L. frofton.
Jiasilisk, padd. | 6 400 , ,.
/>)'irer, padd. . K 280 ,, Alan Hy. tiavdller.
^Locust, padd. . 3 100
Porcupine, i - ,,„
padd.. . .1 ■* "^
Falcon ... 17 100
C«.;.oo,padd. 3 100 {^■™'-„4"'5- ''^"- '^•■"-
I Princess Alice. \
padd.. . .) ^ '-"
I lihizer, m. v. . , . ou Act.-Gnnner Josiah Hunt.2
1 UarfKic, m. V, . . . 60 Boats. Thos. Koremau.2
..ifc„;y,m.v. . .. ,0 :{-^^'-°"^J;''^j/'"'- "'*^"'-
' Surly, m. v. . GO
1 (iUaner, p. b. . 4 tiO i Mate Arcb. Gen. Bugle.-
1 VeHer, g. b. . 4 6U i Lieut. Win. Fredk. Lee.«
1 Pinchtr, g. b.. 4 60 I „ Keith StH\vart( ).-
Buhy, g. b. . 4 60 ,
' Bad<i>^r, g. b. . . . tiO I Mate Wni. Hv. luming.-
l.?,mw«:.-, ,«.!,. 4 60 {"^"*- j'^^'Jl;;/""'"' '*'"-
I »,■(.>■ .r 1, cn ( " Warren Hastings
iS.(ei,g. b. . ..CO , Anderson.^
i Dapper, f^. l>, , 4 60 , ,. Hy. Jas. Grant.2
Jackdaw . . . . 60
1 Mngpie, g. b. . 2 60 „ Bedford (^. T. Tim.^
^nein-;na,«.K .. 60 {=«'"« ^Ji^;.,„:^r'""
la-ylart.g.b.. 4 ^^ itU^^i- Vr,^-^_ \-i^\i^h,~\
iSnap,i.b. . 4 60 I ,, Chas. Arlti. \Vise.=
^ Starling, s.K 4 60 '{ " «!^J^, Harrn.gton
^ Stork, g. b. , 4 60 ,. Geo. ,In<>. Malci-lm.'-'
Sminger, g. b. . . . 60
i Thistle, g.. h. . 4 60 ., David Spain. 2
1 Tt*(;«rW, g. b. ... 60 ., Robt. Geo. Cringie.■-
l /-art, g. 1>. . 4 60 ,. MarkRobt. I'echell.-
1 Rocket, m. v. . . . 60 Boats. Jno. Thorns. -
> Pickle, m. V. . . . 60 Act.-Bi'ats. Rich. J<>ues.2
1 Mastiff, m. V. . . . 60 Act.-Gnnner Rich. Fo« ell.-
, 1 Drake, m. v. . . . 40 „ Jno. Dew.-
I I Prompt, m. v. . . 60 Act.-Boats. Chas. Ford.^
! 1 Peacon, m. v.. . . 60 „ Rich. Broad.2
/^ Porpoise, m.y. ..60 ,, Charles Haydon.-
X Redbreast, ^ .1 •• ^^ Act.-Gunner G. Taylor/^
! 1 Grappler, t „„ f Act.-Boats. Thos. Haw-
m. v.. . .1 ■• ^" t kins.2
1 Groivler, m. v. . . 60
I 1 rarrov, m. v Act.-Boats. J. Terdre.-
i ^Sinbadfin. v Act.-GunnerHy. Wallace. =
Lively, m. v. . .. 6i> Boats, t'lias. Blufield.-
1 Belle'isle, trp > Com. 3a^. Hosken.
1 .tolas, St. s.
Perserera nee, )
irofc««o,pldd". .. 140 l**"^'- If^^- IWsantine
611
..
360
» Present at .Sweaborj^.
- These officers commanded at the bombardment of ."^weaborg. In some lases there were changos before or
.ifter that time.
Brest ou April 26th, but did not effect its junction with the British
until the early part of June.' Ere that time, the coast of Courland
had been formally blockaded, and several small operations had been
carried out in the Gulf of Finland, where numerous vessels belonging
1 Chevalier, 278.
1855.] AcT/r/ry i.\ the jialtic. 47!»
to the eiH'iii}- were ilostroyed. On M;iy KUli, the fleet made reiidez-
vons off Nargen Jsliind : on tlie following day the Admirals, in tlu'
Merlin, reconnoitred lieval ; and on May l'2th, in the same vessel,
escorted by the Eiiri/alus and CosKcick, they reconnoitred Sweaborg.
Both Eeval and Sweaborg were observed to have been greatly
strengthened since the autumn of 1854. At the latter place, about
sixty fresh guns had been mounted in seven new earthworks ; and in
port were seen four ships of the line, three of which were dismantled,
together with a frigate and two small steamers. Keval offered few
inducements for attack. Any lai'ge operations against Cronstadt
were ultimately felt to be out of the question in the absence of the
armoured batteries. There remained only Sweaborg among im-
poi-tant places which it might be both possible and worth while to
reduce. Even Sweaborg, after Dundas had looked at it, narrowlx'
escaped being set aside as a fortress too strong to be attempted by
the fleets. Sulivan, however, steadfastly declared that it might Ix;
reduced with the aid of the gun and mortar boats.
"DinulaSi, tli(iu'.;li veiy aii.\iuiis to ild all that was iidssible, felt iinic-U clmilit abciut
succeeding iu this latter plan; and much inlhieiice was used in an iniiKH-laiit quarter in
the fleet to convince him that it could not succeed, and that tlie small mortar-vessels
could not safely lie at anchor under the fire of such a strong place. . . . Whilst
waiting at Nargen for the arrival of the mortar-vessels, it seeme<l ))roliable that the
attempt would be given >ip, and some minor points on the coast attacked instead. On
one visit to the flagslii)i, S\ilivan was told by the Admiral that he had decided not to
attempt it; and it was only alter using every argument to cnmbat the ailverse view,
and pressing his opinion also on the French Admiral, who generally supporteil him,
that Sulivan got Admiral Dundas to alter his decision and make up his mind to carry
out the plan ; Imt he made tins condition — that Sulivan should agree to jilace the
mortar-vessels 3300 yards from the fortress, instead of 3000, as pro))oseil by him. It
was only after the mortar-vessels had arrived, and he had consulted Captain ^\'emyss,'
of the Marine Artillery, who thought that, even at that distance, the mortars would be
able to cover all the fortress, that Sulivan yielded the ])oint."-
Thus, the only considei-ahle pnicly naval operation of the second
campaign in the Jialtic would, in all probtihility, have l)een never
undertaken but for the tidvocacy of Captain Bartholomew James
Sulivan. But it was not undertaken until comparatively late in the
season ; and ere that many things hai)i)eiied.
Long before the fle(!ts in the I'.altic 1i;m1 reached anything like
their intended strength, small-|in\ jjiokc uitt in some of the ships :
and on May Kith, the ])iil,r nf W'l/liiiijhui had In leave Xiirgen for
' Capt. John -Maurice \\'cio\-s. i;..\l.A., Maj. In .\rio>, N'lpv. 'Jnd, 185."..
C.B. Jan. 2ud, 1857.
■' Sulivan, 271.
480 MILITARY HISTOBY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1816-1856.
Faro Sound, on the Swedish coast, in order to land her sick. To
(^uard against any sudden dash on the part of the Eussians at
Cronstadt, during the absence of the fiagship, the Eitnjahts, Merlin,
and Magicienne, under the Captains named in the table on p. 478,
were detached to cruise well to the eastward until the 19th. They
were not interfered with. Indeed, the Eussians never attempted to
utilise their ships as fighting machines during the whole of the
war. On May 26th, boats from the Cossack, 20, Captain Edward
Gennys Fanshawe, and Es]:, 21, Captain Thomas Francis Birch,
took and destroyed some vessels off Hango Head, and met with
little opposition, even from the shore. On the same day, the fleet
moved up the Gulf of Finland ; and on the 27th, the Merit ji and
Magiciciiiif were detached to look into Yiborg Bay and Bjorko
Sound. Off Biskops Island, several small craft were taken, and the
Magicienne captured two fine transport galliots from their convoy, a
steamer, which cast them off and abandoned them on the approach
of Captain Vansittart. The Orion, *.)1, Captain Jolm Elphinstone
Erskine, simultaneously reconnoitred Cronstadt ; and though she
lay throughout the night of the 27th within sight of about eight
Eussian steamships — four being very heavily armed ones — she was
not attacked. A more extensive reconnaissance was made on
May Slst by the fleet, headed by the Eunjahis, Merlin, and
Aniphion. Admirals Dundas and Seymour, upon closing, went on
board the Merlin, and, proceeding, anchored off the lighthouse,
where they landed, and whence the}' obtained a fine view. In spite
of the fear of infernal machines, or stationary torpedoes, the recon-
naissance was renewed on June 1st, and pushed well round to the
north-east side of Cronstadt.^ The Merlin narrowly escaped
gi-ounding, and was for some time in difficulties within range of
about twenty guns, but was not fired at. Upon rejoining the fleet,
the Admirals found that the French division, under Eear-Admiral
Penaud, had just arrived. Another reconnaissance was made on
June 2nd, and numerous soundings were taken ; l)ut the more
Cronstadt was looked at, the less it was liked.
In the meantime the Cossack, which had visited the fleet off"
Nargen, had returned to Hango Head, with the object of landing
three prisoners who had been taken in the neighbourhood in the
affair of May 26th, and four other prisoners who had been captured
elsewhere. She arrived off Hango in the morning of June 5th, and,
' See plan on p. 488.
1855.] THE '■ MASSAUIiE" AT I I AN GO HEAD. 481
at 11 A.M., sent in a boat with a thig of truce, under Lieutenant
Louis Geneste, with orders to laud the prisoners, to allow none of
the ship's people to straggle from the boat, and to retui-n without
delay. Strangely enough, however, three officers' stewards were
allowed to go ashore. To give them this permission implied, of
course, that they might venture at least so fai- from the boat as
to obtain supplies from any natives who might be willing to sell
them. Sm-geon Eobert TuUoh Easton also accompanied the party.
Upon reaching the beach, the boat was screened from the ship by
some intervening islands. At 4.80 p.m., the boat not having
returned, Captain Fanshawe sent in the first Lieutenant, John
Bousquet Field, in the gig, with another flag of truce ; and, as
neither craft had come back at the close of the day, the Cos.iack
and -E.s/r were anchored in the inner road. At about 8.80 p.m. the
gig reappeared, reporting that after a long search she had found the
cutter, haiiled within a small jetty, and that in her were the bodies
of four of her people, Edward Thompson, leading seaman, William
Linn, Captain's steward, Benjamin Smith, able seaman, and James
Cornwell, ordinary seaman. Captain Fanshawe ordered that the
ships should weigh at 2.30 a.m. on the 6th, take up positions for
coveiing the village and telegraph-station, and send in a demand
for the return of the cutter and the; missing officers and men.
Before, however, the ships could weigh, the cutter was seen to be
coming out, in charge of one dangerously wounded man, who, upon
being brought on board, reported that, having reached the jetty,
Geneste, Easton, Master's-Assistant Charles SulUvan, and tlie
prisoners, had stepped ashore and advanced, Geneste waving the
flag of truce.' Immediately afterwards a body of Russian soldiers,
headed by an officer who spoke English, had appeared, and, after
a brief and angry parley, had opened fire. No resistance had l)e('n
made, and, according to the survivor, all his companions had been
killed. It subsequently turned out, however, that only seven
people had been killed, and that the rest, including Geneste,
Sullivan, and Easton, had been taken prisoners, some in a wounded
condition. Captain Fanshawe thereupon opened fire at (500 yards
upf)n the place, and contiinied until a thick fog obliged him to cease
and haul off.'-
This affair made a great noisr : hut it is oidy right to recall that,
' Geneste reported that it was carried by one of the stewards.
" Disp. n( Fiuisliawo, .Tuiio iltli : lloport orGenetitc, .Tnly Sth.
VOL. VI. 2 1
482 MILITARY HISTORY OF THE llOYAL XAVY, 1816-1856.
oil the Russian side, it was declared, firstly, that no flag of truce was
seen, and secondly, that, even supposing that the boat landed and
the party advanced under such a flag, the whole proceeding was
irregularly conducted, and hkely, therefore, to lead to such a catas-
trophe as actually occurred. The Cossack herself should have
displayed a white flag during the absence of her cutter ; and she
ran some risk in sending in a boat at all, so long as she did not
know that the Bussians at Haugo were willing to receive a flag of
truce there. It is conceivable that it might lie inconvenient and
even dangerous to a defending force to allow a boat, under any
pretext whatsoever, to approach a given position. Apart from all
such questions, it may be asked : what were the stewards doing
in the boat, and why were arms and the arms" chest taken with the
party ? Neither foragers nor muskets should have been sent in in
such circumstances. It was at last arranged between the beUi-
gerents that in future the Bussians should receive flags of truce
only at Cronstadt, Sweaborg, Beval, Libau, Windau, Tornea,
and Wasa ; and it was understood on both sides that vessels
desiring to communicate must hoist a white flag of large dimen-
sions, cast anchor beyond long range, and w^ait until a boat from
the other side should visit them to receive the message. It was
further accepted, as a matter of com-se, that no attempts to obtain
information or supplies under a flag of truce ought to be made in
any circumstances. More than one British Captain of the time
appears, unfortunately, though, no doubt, unintentionally, to have
been far too careless of the impressions which his methods of pro-
cedm'e were likely to make upon a wary and suspicious enemy.'
The business, though in many respects most regi'ettable, had the
good effect of rendering Captain Fanshawe and other commanders
more punctilious.
On June 6th and 7tb, the Magiciciuic. 16, paddle, Captain
Nicholas Vansittart, destroyed a couple of galliots, and dispersed
some small bodies of troops in Kansiala Bay and Bavensair Inlet,
and at Kiskulla.
On June 9th, a little accident which might easily have had far-
reaching results happened. Bear-Admiral Penaud, and a number
of other officers, desiring to make as near a survey as possible of the
defences on the north and north-east sides of Cronstadt, went on
board the Merlin, 6, paddle, which, attended by the Firefly, 4,
Corr. of Prince Dolgoiouki and Genl. de Berg with Dundas : Sulivan, 299.
1855.]
INFERNAL MACHINES OFF CRONSTADT.
483
paddle, Driujon, 6, paddle, and French corvette d'Assas, proceeded
rather further than she had gone on any previous reconnaissance.
She was fired at by a distant Kussian gunhoat, which probably
desired to tempt her to approach still closer in that direction. She
turned off, however, and was leisurely steaming at about two and
a hair miles from the island, the Fircjiij following her, and the
Drarjoii and d'Assati keeping further out, when she exploded a small
infernal machine, or torpedo. She was not damaged ; but she was
t-l'nU-fit?-Ht>nfn/Uc.
CRONSTADT, 1855.
ll'idiii ' I.i.i'i mid Liilim nf Sir U. ,1. Siiliriiii.' hi/ kinil ijirmixtloii of Mr. Juhn Miirniii.t
stoppcMl, and then went astern a little; whereupon she struck a
second torpedo, which exploded just before her starboard paddle-box,
and shook lier veiy severely. The Fircjiij, which, already warned
oft', had hauled a cable's length inside the Merlin, exploded a tliird
machine under hci' Ikiw. In ihe Merlin, mess-traps, lockers, plates,
cups, glasses and i)otlles were snuished by the second blow, two
girders were bent or broken, and some copper was torn away ; but
the vessel's complete efficiency was in no wise impaired. The
l(ir)ic(l(i('s which wm' thus eiicounlcriMJ were, nn dnubt, of a type
•2 I -1
484 MILlTAHy HISTORY OF THE BOYAL XAVY, 1810-1856.
the invention of one Jiicobi. Each consisted of a cone-shaped zinc
vessel, generally about 2 feet deep, and 15 inches broad, moored
base upwards. At the bottom was a charge of gunpowder. In the
lu'oader end wei-e an air-chamber and the firing apparatus. This
last was a simple device whereby, upon anything impinging strongly
against the periphery of the upturned base of the cone, a glass tube,
containing acid, was broken in such manner as to ignite a primer
placed below it and communicating with the main charge.' The
machine worked fairly well ; but it was usually far too small to be
really dangerous to large ships. Several specimens which were
crept for and broaght to the surface were found to contain as
little as eight pounds of powder. None seem to have held more
than thirty-five pounds of it. Why very much larger machines
of the same class were not employed in considerable numbers is
a question which has never been satisfactorily answered. The
Vulture, 6, paddle, was struck by another torpedo on June "iOth ;
and on the following day, in consequence, the ships then before
Cronstadt began sweeping and creeping for the machines with such
good results that, within seventy-two hom-s, as many as thirty-
three of the torpedoes were fished up. It is astonishing that the
work was done without gi'eat loss of life ; for extreme carelessness
was often displayed in the handling of these dangerous obstructions.
Eear-Admiral Seymour, and Captain William King Hall, having
found one, hauled it into their gig, and began to play with it. They
took it to the Connuander-in-Chief, and again plaj'ed with it; and
finally, carrying it on board the Exmouth, they played with it on
the quarter-deck once more, until it exploded, knocking down every-
one near, and wounding about half-a-dozen people, including
Sej'mour, Captain Charles Louis, E.M., and Flag-Lieutenant
Richard Bulkeley Pearse. The Eussians, who knew better what
they were about, and were more careful, were less fortunate ; for
a torpedo, exploding in one of their boats, killed seventeen men.
Eear-Admiral Dundas himself nearlj- lost his sight through unwise
trifling with the firing apparatus of an empty infernal machine.^
The repeated reconnaissances of Cronstadt had by that time
showed that the place, in which lay about twenty-three sail of the
line, besides numerous frigates, corvettes, and steamers, and very
many gunl)oats, was too strong to be successfully attacked by the
' One of these mnc.liines is in tlie nmseuni of H.M.S. Kj-ceHeut, at Portsmouth.
- Suhvaii, 301-30-1.
1855.] RAIDS IN THE BALTIC. 485
then aviiilable forces of tlie naval commaiiders-iu-cliief, wliu had not
enough Hght-draught gun and mortar-vessels, who had no armoured
batteries at all, and who could not bring their big ships within
effective gunshot of the enemy. Pending, therefore, the arrival of
more force, and of a decision as to the point against which the
whole should be directed, numerous small expeditions were des-
patched against comparativel}- unimx^ortant places. On June 14th,
the 7j«.s(7(',sA-, 6, paddle. Commander Stephen Smith Lowther Crofton,
appeared in Siela Sound, between Dago and Osel, and destroyed ten
boats laden with grain. On June IGth, the ExmoiitJi, bearing the
Hag of Eear-Adminil Seymour, with the Blcnlicim, Pliirlirr, and
Snap, parted conipany in order to reconnoitre tlie mouth of the
river Narva. On the 17th, they had a slight brush with the
Russian batteries; and on the 18th, desiring to cut out some coasters
which were seen in shore, Seymour temporarily transferred his flag
to tlie HiHip, and, followed by the Blenheim and Pincher, stood close
in. He unexpectedly came within .sight of a 14-gun sand battery,
upon which he opened at about 1200 yards. A brisk engage-
ment followed ; but although the enemy suffered some loss and
had a gun disabled, no material result was attained. The division
rejoined the fleet, which was then off Nargen, on the 19th,
and with it proceeded to Seskar, and so to nearly its old position
off Cronstadt, the larger part anchoring about five miles north of
the fortress, and a few vessels, in mid-channel, between the light-
house and the mainland. There was no longer a question of
attacking Cronstadt. It was only desired to observe, and to
" contain " it ; but more than once, in the next few weeks, while
schemes for reducing Svveahorg were being matured, shots were
exchanged with the forts and batteries.
On June 20th, the Arrogant, Magicieiiiie, and llidii/ destroyed a
fort at liotchensalm in the Gulf of Finland ; ' and, on the same day,
the boats of the Cunflief and De^pende destrovcnl five coasting sloops
off Pernau, at the north point of the Gulf of liiga. Two days later,
the Aiiipliiiiii had a slight engagement with batteries at Sandbamn,
Storhoini, and MrtJiohn. .V mnrc important service was performed
by Commander Hcnuy Alexander Story, of the Hitrrier, 17, which
foniied one of Captain Frederick Warden's division, employed in
the Gulf (if liothnia. The navigation up to the town of Nystad
having been previously made familiar to him li\ ('a])taiii Ifcnry
' A liliic'kiiile of till- coiu-t cif Fiiilainl liml been deeliireil "ii .June ITilli.
486 MILITARY HISTOBl' OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 181G-lS5n.
Charles Otter, of the Firfjiij, Story, on June 'iSrd and '24th, destroyed
no fewer than 47 sail, or about 20,000 tons, of the enemy's shipping
in that neighbourhood, after having worked continuously in his
boats for twenty-two hoiu-s. He specially mentioned in his dispatch'
the assistance which he had received from Lieutenant William
Henry Annesley. On June 27th, the Fircjiij, 4, paddle. Captain
Henry Charles Otter, and Driver, 6, paddle, Commander Alan Henry
Gardner, of the same division, destroyed two masked but nna.rmed
batteries at Christenestad ; - and on June 30th, in Werolax Bay, in
the Gulf of Finland, the Buhij, gimboat. Lieutenant Henry George
Hale, and boats of the Magicicniie, 16, paddle. Captain Nicholas
Vansittart, burnt or scuttled twenty-nine vessels.
On July 2ud, the Drircr, Commander Alan Henry Gardner, with
the Harrier, Commander Henry Alexander Story, appeared off
Eaumo, in the Gulf of Bothnia, and summoned the town. The
Irargomaster pulled out under a flag of truce, and, having agreed
to give up such vessels as lay in port, recommended Gardner to pull
up to the head of the bay, where he would find the sails belonging
to the craft in question. The man then w'ent back. As the vessels
could not be well taken out while a flag of truce was flying, Gardner
hauled his down, and sent in his boats, understanding that he was
to receive the vessels and spare the town ; but, owing either to
misapprehension or to treachery, the boats were greeted with a cross
Are, and had to retreat with a loss of two men killed or mortally
wounded, and three others severely hm-t. The Driver covered the
retirement, and then threw shot, shell, and 24-pr. rockets into the
town for about an hour and a half, but, strange to say, failed to set
it on fire, though it was built of wood.'
At about that time it was rumoured that the enemy was
strengthening the entrance to the Gulf of Lovisa, some miles to the
eastward of Helsingfors and Sweaborg. Thither accordingly went
Captain Hastings Eeginald Yelverton in the Arrogant, 47, screw,
with the Magiciennc and Riihij. On July 4th, he anchored his
vessels close mider Fort Swartholm, which he fomid to be a
modernised work capable of mounting 122 guns, and having case-
mated barracks for 1000 men. Guns, stores, and ammi;nition
had, however, been removed by the Russians, who had received
' Story to Warden, June 24tli.
- Jsotes (by Otter), in Xaut. Mar/., 1855, 4G5.
•' Notes (by Otter), in Nauf. May., 1855, 470.
lSo5.] GALLANTRY OF ISGOUEVILLE AND DOW ELI. 487
iiilcllij,'encu of the Britisli a))))ro;ich. The fort and biinacks
were destroyed. On July 5tli, Yelverton, in the Buby, reconnoitred
the town of Lovisa, and, with musketry and rocket fire, dispersed
a body of Cossacks. Landing, he burnt the government stores and
Ijarracks in the place, but spared the town, which, nevertheU^ss,
caught fire accidentally during the following night, and was, un-
fortmiately, reduced to ashes.' Yelverton went thence to Kounda
Bay, where he dislodged some more Cossacks ; to the mouth of the
river Portsoiki, where he destroyed buildings and drove off a few-
troops ; and to Transsund, off the town of Viborg, where he arrived
on July 18th. In the sound he encountered, chased, and exchanged
shots with a Kussian man-of-war steamer. Pushing on in the
Eubij, with the boats of the Arnnjant and Macjicienne, he sighted
another steamer and three gunboats, but was suddenly brought u])
by a sunken obstruction, and, while examining it, was opened fire
upon from a masked battery only about three hundred and fifty
yards from him. After a short period of natural confusion, the
boats pulled steadily up to tlu; earthwork, and maintained a spirited
engagement with it for upwards of an hour, but could effect nothing,
as the enemy, reinforced by his steamers and gunboats, was in
greatly superior force ; and at length the British had to retire to
the ships. While the boats were still under fire an explosion took
place in the Arrogaiifs second cutter, killing Mr. Story, the
Midsliipman in charge of her, and half swamping the boat, which
drifted under the battery. All remaining in her woiild proltably
have been killed or taken, had not George Ingoueville, one of her
crew, though wounded, jumped overboard, with the painter in his
hand, and towed her off. Her condition was then seen from the
Rubii, whereupon Lieutenant George Dare Dowell, K.M.A., of the
Magieieime, who happened to be on l)oard, calling for vohmteers,
jinnpcul into the liiihi/'s gig, was joined by Lieutenant Henry
Vachell Haggard," first of the Arnxjant, and two men, and ))ullc(l
i)ff under an increasingly hot fire to the rescue. The gallant little
party saved the boat and her crew ; but the whole affair cost the
loss of two killed and ten wnnndcd.' Ingoueville, and Lieutenant
Dowell received the Victoria Cross foi' their bravery and initiative.
While Captain Yelverton was engaged in these affairs, the
' Yelvertxjn to Diiiidas, July 8th ; Dmulas to Admit v., retd. July IGtii : Sidivan, 311 .
- Prouitd. Cum. July ^11 li, 185r>, fur this service.
" Yelverton to Duiidas.
488 MlLITAnr IIISTonr of the royal yAV\\ 1816-185G.
Light }it nil, 8, paddle, off Bogskarin Beacon, and the Basilisk, G,
paddle, in Siele Soimd, injured the enemy b}' destroying a number
of salt boats. On July 17th, the Basilisk, in company with the
Desperate, 8, Commander Richard Dunning White, had a smart
brush with batteries and gunboats in the Gulf of Eiga.
On Julj" 19th, there began an important series of reconnais-
sances. Admirals Dundas and Penaud went on board the Merlin, ij,
paddle, Captain Bartholomew James Sulivan, and, attended by the
Ai)ij)liiun, Dragon, a gunboat, and a small French screw steamer,
looked into Helsingfors and Sweaborg.
" The enemy," says Sulivan,' " were iu tlie act of sinkinj; a twu-ileeker to block
the western passage, one having been sunk within a few days iu the same passage.
In tuvning to come out in one place, the French screw astern of us exploded two
' internals," but nearly twenty yards from her. Probably they were exploded by wires
from the shore. . . . The next day we went into Reval, and had a close look at all
the batteries. . . . The same evening I was off witli two gunboats to exanune all the
shores inside the large islands of Dago and Osel. . . . The next day, Saturday, we
reached' the sound inside ^Yorms^ Island, and 1 tried to go to Hapsal. ... It was too
shallow about five miles off for Merlin to pass. . . . Rut ... I got both gunboats
(drawing seven feet) through. . . . There were no vessels and no defences. . . ."
On July '23rd, 24th, and 2.5th-, the expedition examined the
coasts of Dago and Osel, and then returned to the rendezvous off
Nargen, calling on the way at Odensholm. Penaud came to the
conclusion that Helsingfors, and not Sweaborg, its guardian fortress,
oi^ght to be attacked. Sub van induced Dundas to advocate the
attack on Sweaborg ; and, in consequence, on July 31st, the Merlin
was detached from the fleet to examine the place more minutely,
and to buoy the approaches to it.
In the meantime, Yelverton, with his division, then consisting
of the Cossack, 20, Captain Edward Gennys Fanshawe, as well as
of the Arrogant, Magicienne, and Biihi/, as before, appeared on
July 21st before the recently constructed batteries of Frederiks-
hamn, on the Finland coast, nearly midway between A'iborg and
Helsingfors. The British opened fire a httle before 10 a.m., and
for an hour and a half there was a brisk engagement. The enemy,
however, having suffered heavily, eventually abandoned his gims,
some of which had been dismounted. The loss on the attacking
side was only three men wounded, though the ships were several
times struck. Part of the town was unintentionally burnt, and
the fort was much knocked about ; but, having no troops with
him, and there being a strong body of Eussian troops in the
' Sulivau, 307.
1855.] CAl'TURE Of KaTKA. ISJ*
immediate iieighbovirhood, Yelvertoii did not attempt a landing,
and presently withdrew. He then reported that it was desirable
that the island of Kotka. whei'c, a month earlier, he had destroyed
a work, should be again examined, as the enemy was active there.
Dundas, therefore, reinforced him with the mortar-vessels Prompt.
Pickle, Rocket, and B/aier, and witii four gunboats, the latter
from the division of Kear-Admiral Baynes, who lay off Cronstadt,
and the former from the fleet off Nargen. These joined the
Arrogant on July "iGth, off Hogland, and at 2 P.M. the squadron
anchored off Fort Kotchenholm.
" As," says Yeh'crtou,' "the safety of our c.Kijedition rested cliieHy ou our investing,
ami liolding the entire possession of, the fortilied island of Kotka, I determined upon
taking it at once. Accoidingl)^ I aucliored the mortar-vessels out of range, and, leaving
two gunboats to look after them, I proceeded with the rest of the vessels to the west-
ward of Kotka, for the purpose of destroying the bridge, so as to cut ofi' the retreat of
the garrison, and prevant their receiving reinforcements from the mainland. Ca]itain
Vausittart, of the MM/icieune, with his accustomed zeal and activity, threaded his way
at once through the shoals, and destroyed the bridge. As suon as all the vessels had
ancliored, so as to command the great inilitury mail leading from the fort of Hogfors-
lioliii, and also the channel dividing tlie island from the main, I landed all the Marines,
under the command of Captain Samuel Xetterville Lowder, li.M., with Lieutenant
George Dare Dowell, It.M.A., and Lieutenants Henry Colton Mudge and Pousonby lioss
Holmes, R.M., who took possession without being opposed, as 'the garrison (no doubt
apprised of our coming b)' the telegraphs along the coast) had very recently evacuated,
leaving behiml them a large amount of military stores, which have since been
burnt. ..."
'J'hree barracks, four stores, four magazines, four guard-houses
and detached buildings, six other Iniildings, and some workshops and
supplies were destroyed, and on the 'iTtli the squadron departed.
Captain Fanshawe, willi the Cossack, being left in charge of the
island. Yelverton, in his dispatch, specially mentioned the services
rendered by Masters George Giles {Arro<jant}, and (ieorgc .Vlexander
Macfarlane {Maglciciuie), in sounding and inioying the intricate
channels on the coast. Indeed, the whole campaign in the Baltic
was essentially a campaign of navigators and marine surveyors, at
the head of whom were Captains Jiaitholomew James Sulivan, and
Henry Charles Otter.
In tlie (luir of Iviga, on -Inly 'J;i]-d, Ai-ensi)urg, in the island of
Osel, was taken possession of by a landing-[)arty from the Arclicr, 13,
screw, Captain Edmund Heathcotc, and Desperate, 8, Counuander
Richard Dunning White. On tiie ."iDtii, tiie Archer, with the
' Velverlon to Dundas, .luly 2^\\\. The r.»C]icdiliHii alluded to was the coming
atttudi on Sweaborg.
490 MILITARY IIISTOUY OF THE ROYAL SAVY, 181G-IS56.
Conflict, 8, screw, dispersed sonic troops, uiid destroyed some
public buildings at Windau, on tlie Courland coast, just outside the
limits of the gulf. And on August (jth, the Archer and Ihspcratc,
landing a detachment near Dome Ness, destroyed a sloop and
government buildings, and repulsed a body of cavah-y.
In the Gulf of Bothnia, the smaller vessels of Captain Warden's
division continued then- activity. On July S-lth, the Harrier, 17,
screw, Commander Henry Alexander Story, and Cuckoo, 3, paddle,
destroyed part of the town of Raumo, and a quantity of shipping.
The Firefly, 4, paddle, pushed further north, and on August 1st
was off Korsoren beacon. Getting out his two paddle-box boats and
his gig, Otter pulled in towards Brandon, the seaport of Wasa, cut
down a telegraph on a small island in Korsbanui Fiord, and captured
a large barque laden with tar, returning early on the following
morning to his ship. That night he carried her up, and anchored
her within four hundred yards of Brandon, which was then a con-
siderable shipbuilding centre. Under cover of the Firefli/'n gians,
Lieutenant John Ward (4), with the boats, went to examine the
magazines and storehouses. Otter determined to burn them, but
agi'eed to await a favourable opportunity, the wind then blowing
directly on to the town, which he had no desire to damage. In the
course of the day Lieutenant Edward Burstal ^ took another prize, a
schooner, and discovered two barques and two brigs in a neigh-
bouring creek. In the evening, while a working party was trans-
ferring some tar and deals to the schooner prize, a brisk musketry
lire was opened upon the party, and also upon the Fireflij, and was
retirrned with shot and shell. The schooner could not be brought
out, and was abandoned. A barque, however, was carried off,
thanks largely to the exertions of Second Master John Augustus
BuU; and the other barque and the two brigs were destroyed. In
this affair, while the enemy had '25 killed and many hurt, the total
British loss was only '2 slightly wounded. During the continuance
of unfavourable weather, Cossacks, with several guns, reinforced
the town. Not irntil the 8th was Otter able to attempt the
destruction of the magazines and storehouses. He then opened
fire at 1500 yards, first on a 4-gun battery, which did not reply,
and then on the l)uildings, which, by "2.30 P.M., were observed to
be burning. At about that time Lieutenant John Ward (4)
volunteered to go in with a paddle-box boat, and attempt to cut
' Promtd. Com. for this service, Sept. 29th, 1855.
1855.] ri!i:i'.M!AT10NS AGAINST SWEABORG. 491
out the ubandoneil schooner ; hut, although he made a very
gallant effort, he had at lengtli to retire before overwhelming
strength, happily, however, without loss. At 8 p.m., the conflagra-
tion ashore being obviously no longer in danger of extinction, Otter
closed to fire a few more rounds at the still silent battery, and
tiicn, since his aunniiiiitinn was nearly expended, began to back
out. A general and heavy fii-e was thereupon suddenly directed
against him. His situation, in a narrow and shallow channel where
he dared not turn, was, for more than half an hour, extremely
trjdng ; but at length lie drew slowly out of range.'
It has been already said that, after much discussion. Admirals
Dundas and Penaud had decided to attack the fortress of Sweaborg,
and to spare the city of H(!lsingfors. The wisdom of this decision
has been often called in question. Helsingfors, besides being a very
wealthy and important place, challenged attack, in that it was
strongly fortified. If captured, it could not have been occupied,
seeing that the Allies had no troops available for the purpose ; but, if
it had been bombarded and destroyed, its fate would have been a
most serious blow to the enemy ; and the discomfort caused to its
large population would, no doubt, have had a salutary effect upon
such public opinion as then existed in Kussia. On the other hand,
the bombardment of Sweaborg affected neither the military prestige
of the Bussian government nor the pockets of influential Russians :
and, upon the whole, it Was a very aimless, if not dangerous, pro-
ceeding, in view of the fact that, even had the forts been entirely
levelled with the ground, tluii' disappearance would not have
furthered the end to the attainment of which Great Britain and
France had committed themselves. Had it been purposed, after
bomljarding Sweaborg, to storm, capture and hold the works ni
force; to use tlieui lor npcrations against Helsingfors; and to use
Helsingfors itself as a base for a military movement against Cron-
stadt and St. Petersburg, the attack would have justified itseli'.
Thei-e was, how'ever, no scheme of this kind. Feeling in London
and I'aiis (leiiiaiulcd that something striking should be done in the
Baltic ; and Sweaborg appeared to offer to the Allies a magnificent
target in front of which they might make a noisy display for the
delectation of the crowd at home. It is to be feared that no con-
siderations very nuieh sdunder dictated the course which was jiui-
sued. The attack is, iiowever, of some interest, because, unlik(' tin
' I ittiM- tn Waidfii, Aug. Utli, IH.'').^.
492 MIIJTAny IlLSTOnV of the royal NAVW 1,s1(;-!S5G.
attacks on Sebastopol, it was entirely of a n;nal character, and
because, in spite of the huge strength of the defences, the ships did
undoubtedl}' inflict a considerable amount of damage, while them-
selves escaping almost scot free.
■■ ' K,/W^ " EjSvarto
A - Forts added in JB54- J855
^ English Mortar Boats
• Frenvh do. do.
Q English do. do. 2nd. position
g French do. do. do. do
Scale of Yards
o 500 1000
W. Svartd^
sopo
Gustafvard
Whistling D cA
'LANCASTER.
tcUNCOAT^ ^
\ 2ND-DAV /
'a "
E GUN BOATS ,
Merlin ashore
fk .
9>
..5AfOff«/fo/m
. % ^ \^l
■-. lE.CUN BOAT5)
\ ■*•' ■ ^i. ^^
I ■ ..^ •-' ~ . ,^ Abraham Holm
^ O ^y -^iFrencli Battery of 5 Morttirs fbrass)
»^ Oterhall
^,^'
° .0
/ FRENCH AND ENGLISH
I GUN BOATS '
lancaktiift"
'iJE GUN boats)
^fpi
* ♦
,■ S/fo'gsbar
^ ■■- ..■•;o
Fliet at Anchor ■ s...--'^
"'V.«
as- (, .;
MAGICI^INE
/ / J Laghara
Groha'ra
swEAiiORG, 1855. Plan or attack.
XOTIi. — The shaded portions indicate the area of the conflagrations caused by the l)ombardment.
{From ^ Life and Lctttrs af Sir B, J. Sulii-an,' by kind prniiinsio)! of Mr. John Jlurrai/.)
In 1855, the congeries of fortresses called Sweaborg occupied part
of the group of small islands Ij'ing E.S.E. of Helsingfors, the centre
of the works being about 3500 yards from the nearest part of the
city. The islands are little more than large granite rocks, and the
1855.] ATTACK ON SWEABOIiG. 493
works upon tlieiu weva to a large extent excavated iu the solid
stone. Chief amon^ the fortified islets were Vargon, in the middle,
Gustafvaard, East Svarto, West Svarto, and Lilla Svarto. These,
which showed a general front towards the S.W., and most of which
were interconnected by bridges, or fortified stone piers, protected the
entrance to Helsingfors Bay. In two of the intervals which separated
them, and which formed the passages into the bay, lay ships of the
line, moored with their broadsides athwart the channel ; and in
the various works were upwards of <S00 guns, with full garrisons to
man them. .
During the first few days of August, Captain Bartholomew James
Sulivan, in the Merlin, was continuously engaged in superintending
the sounding and Inioying of the waters immediately about the for-
tress, and in making plans and marking positions for the attacking
ships. On the 6th, Dundas, with the British fleet, arrived from off
Nargen ; and, in the evening of the same day and morning of the
next, he was joined by Penaud, with the French contingent, which
included, besides ships of the line, gunboats, steamers and storcships,
the sailing mortar-vessels Tocsin, Fournaise, Tromhe, Torchc, and
Bo)nhc} A sufficient observing force remained, of course, near
Cronstadt. The British contingent was made up of the vessels
whose names are prefaced by a ' in the table on page 478. The
main attack was to be made by means of the mortar-vessels,^ ranged
along a curve on either side of the islet of Oterhall, the French
occupying the centre of th(> line. Admiral Penaud, soon after his
arrival, began to supplement this scheme by establishing a battery
of four brass lO-incb nioitars on Abialiani Holm, a rock about (300
yards nearer than Oterhall to the fortress; but he was unable to
complete the business u)itil the morning of the 9th. Ere that time
all the niortar-vessels had been stationed in positions, :i'.)(J() yards
from thc! batteries, whence they could easily warp into action at
'■M'lOO yards' range. This work had been done under direction nl'
Captain Sulivan, the general management of the flotilla being then
entrusted to Lieutenant the Hon. Augustus Ch;irlcs llobai't. ami
the management of llic mortar-fire being committed to Captains
(K.M.A.) John ^lauricc Wemyss, Joseph Edward Wilson Lawrence,
and George Augustus Schimibcrg. Behind tlie line of niortar-vessels
were anchored the Kiin/d/iis, \'/i/hin\ Miu/icidiiic, and Dmi/oii, ns
' Kacli mounting two 13-in. mortiirs.
- Si.xteen Brilisli iiml five Frcmli. 'I'ln! Hiilisli cmh iiiouiilcil one I'_'-in. iimrtar.
4n-i MILITARY HISTOBY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 181(i-1856.
supports and supply ships ; and in rear of these la3' the mass of the
combined fleets. The gunboats, having been previously armed with
additional guns of heavy calibre, were removed from among the ships
of the line, and employed as will be shown later. The Stork and
Snapper, which were fitted with Lancaster guns, were specially
entnisted to Captain Richard Strode Hewlett, of the EdinhHrgh,
who had experience in the use of those weapons.
Early on the 9th, the mortar-vessels warped in to their assigned
stations, and, soon after seven o'clock, began firing. The StorTc and
Snapper, circling inside and to the right of the line of mortar-vessels,
devoted their attention to a three-decker that lay across the channel
between Gustafvaard and Bakholmen. Inside, and to the left of
the line. Commander George William Preedy, with the Sfarlini/,
Thistle, Pelter, Biter, and Badger, circled and bombarded the
western batteries ; and, near Abraham Holm, the Pincher, Skijlark,
and Lark, under Captain George Ramsay, the Vulture, Snap, and
Gleaner, under Captain Frederick Henry Hastings Glasse, and the
Dapper and Bedwing, under Captain Nicholas Vansittart, manoeuvred
in a similar manner. Further to the N.W., ordered to keep Vargon
church open of Stora Rantan, were the Macfpir and Wrazel, under
Captain William Houston Stewart. The Hastinr/s, A)iiphioti,'^ and
Cdnncallis,- under Captain George Greville AVellesley, of the ship
last-named, were detached off the south-east end of Sandhamn to
seize every opportunity of engaging the enemy there ; and the
Arrofjant, Cossack, and Cndscr were sent to the westward to occupy
the attention of the troops which were posted on Drumsio Island.
AVithin a short time, the action became general in every direction.
" A rapid tire," siiys DumUis, " of shut ami shells was kept up fnjiu the fortress (ov
the first few hours upon the gunboats, and the ranges of the heavy batteries extended
completely beyond the mortar-vessels ; but the continued motion of the gunboats, and
the able manner in which they were conducted by the otfieers who commanded them,
enabled them to return the tire with great spirit, and almost with impunity, throughout
the day. About ten o'clock in the forenoon tires began first to be observed in the
diflerent buildings, and a heavy explosion took place on the island of Vargon, which
was ioUowed by a second about an hour afterwards on the island of Gustafvaard,
inflicting much damage upon the defences of the enemy, and tending greatly to slacken
the fire from the guns in that direction. The advantage of tlie rapidity with which
the fire from the mortars had been directed was apparent in the continued fresh con-
ilagrations which spread extensively on the island of Vargon.""
' Amphion had 3 wounded.
* Cornwallis had 10 wounded.
^ Dundas to Admlty., Aug. l;!tli.
1855.]
ATTACK ON SWEABORG.
495
The explosions ulliuled to, iiiid especially the second, which was,
in effect, a sei'ies of explosions lasting more tliiin two minutes, were
verj' severe, and are believed to have cost the enemy a large number
of lives. As sunset drew near, Dundas recalled the gimboats, in
consequence of the intricate nature of the navigation, and of the fact
that more than one of tliciu had grounded even in da_ylight. But
the French battery on Aljraham Holm went on with the bombard-
ment; and, at half-])asl ten, the ])()ats of the fleet, assembled under
AIlMIIlAl. IIIK |;T. IKIN. SII! ASTI.KY fOOl'KIt KEY, G.U.li., K.lt.S.
(Fiviii II jiliotu hii I III- Liiiiihn StmoKCopir C'li.)
Captain Henry Caldwell, began a three-hours' fire witli rockets upon
the fortress, causing new conflagrations and increasing tlie old ones.
These rocket-boats, about tliirty in ninnl)er, were cc)mni:iiided l)y
Lieutenants Leveson Eliot Henry Somerset, and Thomas Barnard-
iston {Duke of Wclliiii/foii), Charles Maxwell Luckraft (Eiiri/aliis),
Henry Bedford Wo()lconil)e, and Cornwallis Wykeliani IMartin
(Arrogant), Jdlm I'.iiuiey Scott, and Francis Moul)ray Pratteiit
(Pemhroke), Eobert Boyle Miller {Vulfinr), Jolui vVppleby Pritchard
(I'Jdiiihun/li), John F.onstiuet Field (Cosxack), Tiiomas Stackbousi'
490 MILlTAl:)- IIISTOIIY OF THE HOYAL NAVY, 1816-1850.
(Dragon), Heuiy Bartlett King {Mcujicleiuw), William Naper Corne-
wall, and Francis Bland Herbert {Geyser), Robert Cooper Tattnall,
and Maxwell Fox (Cornwallis), Jobn Dobree M'Crea, and James
Graham Goodenough {Hastings), and Aiinine Wodehouse, and
Charles Heniy Clutterbuck (AmpJiiun), together with junior officers.
The premature explosion of a rocket in the pinnace of the Hastings
womided two men ; nine persons were also wounded by a somewhat
similar accident in the pinnace of the Vulture, and there were other
shght casualties, very few, however, of which were due to the
enemj''s fire. The boats of the Cornwallis, Hastings, and Ampliion
were employed, not against the forts, but against a frigate "which lay
moored in Kungs Sund. The vessel could not be burnt ; but Lieu-
tenant Tattnall, senior officer of these boats, was praised by Captain
Wellesley for the manner in which he had carried out orders.
"At Javliglit oil the morning of the 10th," coutiuues UuuJas, "the jiositious of the
several mortar-vessels had been advanced within easier range, and the gunboats were
again directed to engage. The three-decked ship, which had hccn moored by the
enemy to block and defend the channel between Gustafvaard and Bakhohnen, had
been withdrawn dining the night to a more secure position ; but the fire from the
batteries was increased, and the engagement was renewed with activity on both sides.
Fires continued to burn without intermission within the fortress, and about noon a
column of smoke, heavier and darker than any which had yet been observed, and
succeeded by blight tlames, gave signs that the shells had reached combustible materials
in the direction of the arsenal."
The conflagration hud, in fact, spread beyond the island of Vargon,
and had extended to East Svarto, in its rear. Dm-ing the whole
night of the 10th, a heavy fire was kept up ; and, upon the recall of
the gunboats as before, divisions of mortar-boats again proceeded to
annoy the enemy. One division, directed by Captain George Henry
Seymour, of the Pembroke, was under the orders of Lieutenants
Robert James Wynniatt, and James Carter Campbell (Exnioutli),
Charles Maxwell Luckraft {Eurguhis), Henry Bedford Woolcombe,
and Cornwalhs Wj'keham Martin {Arrogant), John Binney Scott,
and Francis Moubray Prattent {Pembroke), and Henry Bartlett
King {Magicienjte). The other division, directed by Captain Cald-
well, was under the orders of Lieutenants Levesou Ehot Henry
Somerset, and Thomas Barnardiston {Duke of Wellington), John
Appleby Pritchard, and William Hans Blake {Edinburgh), Robert
Boyle Miller (Vulture), and John Bousquet Field {Cossaek), assisted
by junior officers. In the coiu'se of the night, seeing that nearly
every building on Vargon had been destroyed, and that such
1855.] EFFECTS OF THE BOMDAliDMEST. 497
buildings as remained standing on East Svarto were almost, if not
quite, out of range, while the enemy scarcely returned the fire, the
allied Admirals agreed to discontinue the action before dajdight on
the 11th. By that time, most of the mortars had been disabled, and
two, if not three, completely split ; ^ and the vents of some of the
French guns employed in the attack had fused. There were, un-
fortunately, no spare mortars, owing to lack of prevision at home.
There had, however, been singularl}' few casualties on the side of
the attack, only one man, it is said, having actually lost his life.
The British alone had expsnded in the bombardment about 100 tons
of powder, and 1000 tons of projectiles."
How much injury was inflicted on the Eussians has never been
exactly ascertained. Eear-Admiral Penaud received, through a spy,
a report to the effect that the dockyard, and all the government
stores were completely destroyed, all the powder-magazines blown
up, twenty-three vessels burnt, and 2000 men killed. Eighteen or
nineteen other vessels were alleged to be severely damaged. Bussian
accomits make the injuries to have been of a less serious nature.
However this may be, it is certain that the sea-defences of the place
were little the worse for the awful fire to which they had been
subjected, and that, supposing them to have still had ammmiition
available, they were practically as strong as ever. Captain Wel-
lesley, who, as has been seen, had been detached on the 9tli, off the
south-east of Sandhamn, and who had gallantly engaged the batteries
there, likewise produced no apjireciable residt.^ Where there were
storehouses, magazines, and government buildings, there were fires
and explosions ; but where there were carefully constructed forts and
batteries, the Allies made little or no impression. " Still," says
Chevalier, " these operations had the effect of disquieting the
population, and of forcing the enemy to busy himself with continual
movements of troops." It can scarcely be considered that the game,
which exposed numerous costly vessels to the risks not only of red-
hot shot and of shell fire, but also of intricate and imperfectly-
surveyed navigation, was worth the candle. The Mniiii herself,
carrying the allied Admirals in on the evening of tlw lOlh to view
' " It is a disgrace to our irou-fouuders that one old mortar of tlie last war stood 350
rounds, while all the others, quite new, were unfit for use, or burst, after 200 to 250."
Sulivati, 340.
- The French mortars threw '-'8128 shells, and the French vessels, apart from the
inortar- vessels, 1322 shells and round shot. Chevalier, 278.
" Wellesley to Dundas, Aug. yth.
VOL. VI. . '2 K
498 MILITARy niSTOBY OF THE ROYAL yAVY, 1S1(1-185G.
the damage which had been done, piled up on a rock in a position
where, in full daylight, she might easily have been hulled from the
shore. Happily she was got off, though not till after all tiring had
ceased. Captain Sulivan was in no wise to blame. On the con-
trary, he and Lieutenant Kiehard Boynton Creyke ^ were singled
out for special praise in the dispatches.
The allied fleets remained in view of the scene of action until the
morning of August 18th, when they sailed for Nargen, the Mrrlin
and Locust staying behind to take up buoys and marks. A few days
later, there being practically no mortars left in a serviceable con-
dition, the mortar-vessels were sent home. At the same moment
the Sans Pareil was taking on board fresh mortars at Woolwich ;
but Dundas was not kept informed of what was being done, ^\'he^
it became known at Whitehall that the mortar-vessels were re-
turning, a steamer was hastily despatched to meet them, and tiu-n
them back ; but ere they could be re-armed, the season was too far
advanced for further operations of importance in the Baltic. As the
Times said, a fleet costing about .£30,000 a day for maintenance
was reduced to impotence, and made a laughing-stock, in conse-
quence of the Government's omission to spend at the right moment
" about as much as a man of taste gives for three early Sevres vases."
The administration seems to have forgotten that ships cannot
participate in big engagements without expending weapons as
well as ammunition. In future naval wars, especially if they
be prolonged, it will be more than ever necessary to have made
arrangements beforehand for the rapid substitution of new guns
for old. Moreover, nothing is more dangerous to the moral of
a gun's crew than a well-founded suspicion that the piece has
already done more work than it was intended f(5r, and may burst,
or blow its breech-block out, at the next round. Yet it is difticult
to avoid using a weakened gun, when there is nothing to take
its place.
From the time of the bombardment of Sweaborg until the
closing of the navigation in November, the campaign in the Baltic
languished ; but small operations continued in various quarters.
On August 10th for instance, the Hairke, 60, screw, and Des-
perate, 8, screw, had a brush with some batteries and gunboats
near the mouth of the Dwina; and, on the 14th, the Haicke,
and Conflict, 8, screw, landed parties, destroyed several vessels,
' Promtd. Com., Sept. 29th, 18.55.
185.-,.] SMALL AFFAIRS IN THE BALTIC. -199
and repulsed a body of troops near Dome Ness, at the mouth of
the Gulf of Eiga. On August 15th, the gunboats Jaclcdaw, and
Rubi/, with the boats of the Pijlach's, 21, screw, captiu-ed fom-
craft under tire from Kussian troops in the Bight of Kossoria ;
and on August 16th, the Impirleuse, 51, screw, Centaur, (5, paddle,
and Bulldog, 6, paddle, had a long-range engagement with batteries
and gunboats in the vicinity of Tolboukin lighthouse, off Cronstadt.
In the Gulf of Bothnia, where Kear-Admiral Baynes commanded,
the Harrier, 17, screw, Tartar, '20, screw. Cuckoo, 3, paddle, and
French d'Assas, sent their boats on August 17th up towards
Biorneborg, burnt seventeen vessels, and obtained the surrender
of a small steamer, in spite of the presence in the neighbourhood
of about 2000 troops. On September 2nd, the Porcupine, 8, paddle,
with boats of the Tai'tar, made a reconnaissance of, and exchanged
tire with, the batteries at Gamla Carleby ; and on the fUh, the
i)oats of the BnUdog made prize of a couple of government schooners
off Biorko. But in none of these, or similar affairs, of which there
were many, were there any incidents calling for special description.
On September 12th, a number of ships, including the yHIe, 90,
screw, and Arrogant, 47, screw, participated in the destruction
of some transports under fire in the Bay of Virta Nemi. On
September 18th, the boats of the Nile boarded and burnt some
vessels near Hammeliski.
On September 12th, the Hawke, Archer, Conflict, and Cruiser
received the peaceful surrender of Pernau, in the Gulf of Riga ;
and on the 20th, the Gorgon, 6, paddle, and her boats, exchanged
shots with the batteries at the mouth of the Dwina, where, with
the Archer, Conflict, and Desperate, the Gorgon was again slightly
engaged on September 27th. Almost the last service of the Gulf of
Riga division seems to have been rendered, in the mouth of the
river Kua, on October 8rd, by tlic A n-htr aiul Desperate, with
their boats. A few small vessels and some stores were destroyed.
On September 80th, the Conflict, belonging to the same division,
having quitted the gulf, destroyed two boats and dispersed a body
of Cossacks, near Libau, on the west coast ol' ('(lurLmd. In tlio
meantime, at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, on Septemi)er
2Cth, and again on October 5th, the Blenheim, GO, screw, with
the gunboats Hnap, Stork, and Lark, was employed in the vicinity
of Hango, and, besides rendering useless several telegraph stations,
exchanged shots with the Eckness forts. Throughout the fleet,
2 K 2
500 MILITAUY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL XAVY. 1816-1856.
however, at that period, there was, as Suhvan saj's,'^ too much
of a liind of iinfeeUng, senseless anxiety to fire at anything, for
the mere sake of firing, for notoriety, or for hringiug about
a pretence of a fight, and a consequent opportunity for writing a
dispatch ; and, although most of the above-mentioned affairs were
of a very different character, it would be possible to cite others
which, besides being of a paltry nature, were perfectly useless to
the cause of the Allies, and were effective only in bringing the flag
into disrepute.
The fleet had begun to return to England in the latter part of
September. The gunboats, in four divisions, departed on October
8th ; and only a few ships of the line and large steamers remained.
Not until the middle of November did the Conmiander-in-Chief
himself make for Kiel. After he had gone home, the last half-
dozen ships were withdrawn, almost one by one, as the advance of
winter rendered the blockade unnecessary. The Hon. Eichard
Saunders Dundas was rewarded on February 4th, 1856, with
a K.C.B. At the same time the C.B. was conferred upon several
of the Baltic Captains, including George Ramsay, George Henry
Seymour-, George Greville Wellesle}', James ^yillcox, and Henr}-
Caldwell. Batches of Baltic promotions were dated September
22nd and 29th, 1855 ; but many most deserving oflicers were then
passed over, and the omissions were to some extent remedied on
October 31st, 1855, and January 5th, February 'ilst and "i-ind,
and May 10th, 185(5, when numerous further advancements were
made.
Early in 1856," Eear-Admiral Sir Eichard Saunders Dundas was
re-appointed to the Baltic command ; but the resiunption of active
operations had bj' that time been rendered unnecessary h\ the
progress which had been made during the winter in the direction
of peace. The Treaty- of Pai-is was not actually sigired until
March 30th, nor ratified until April '27th ; but, long ere even the
earlier of those dates, it had become evident that the war was
over. By the final arrangement it was stipulated that all conquests
made and territories occupied dm-ing the hostilities should be
evacuated as promptly as possible ; that the Sublime Porte should
be " admitted to participate in the advantages of the public law
and concert of Europe " ; that the independence and territorial
integrity of the Ottoman Empire should be respected and guaranteed
' Sulivan, 353, 354. - Feb. IStb.
1856.] THE TREATY OF PARIS. 501
by all the parties to the treaty ; that the Sultan should not be
interfered with in the government of any of his subjects, nor in the
internal administration of his dominions ; that the Black Sea
should be neutralised, and its ports thrown open to commerce ;
that Eussia and Turkey should neither establish nor maintain
naval arsenals in the Black Sea ; that the navigation of the
Danube shoixld be regulated by an international commission ; that
the Russian frontier in Bessarabia should be rectified ; that the
principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia should continue as before
nnder the suzerainty of the Porte, but with additional liberties ;
that Servia should enjoy similar advantages ; and that the Eusso-
Turkish frontier in Asia should be settled by a commission. By
special conventions annexed to the treaty, it was declared that the
Sultan would continue to exercise his ancient right to prohibit
foreign ships of war from entering the Bosphorus and the Darda-
nelles, and that he would not permit them so to enter, except for
the service of the embassies and the Danube Commission, in time
of peace ; that Russia and the other contracting Powers would
agree and adhere to that principle ; that neither Russia ' nor
Turkey would maintain in the Black Sea more than six steam-
vessels (not to exceed .55 metres in length, with a tonnage of <S00),
and four lighter steam or saiHng vessels (of not more than "200 tons
apiece) ; and that the Aland Islands should not be fortified.
A " declaration," made, perhaps somewhat needlessly, by the
plenipotentiaries at Paris, and signed on behalf of Great Britain,
France, Russia, Sardinia, Turkey, Austria, and Prussia,'- set forth
formally that, so far as those Powers are concerned : —
1. Pi-ivateering is, and remains, abolished.
2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception of
contraband nl' war.
3. Neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of war, are
not liable to capture under enemy's flag.
4. ]31ockades, in order to be binding, must be effective— that is
to say, maintained by a force sufficient really to prevent
access to the coast of the enemy.
No indemnity was demanded from Russia; no special privileges
whatsoever were secured to Great Biitain and France, which, for
nearly two years, had poun-d I'drtli l)lniMl and treasure like water ;
' HuBsiatoie up this Convention in 1870.
'^ TliiB declaration whk Kiib«c<|uently iiillioicd to l)y Beveral other Puweis.
502 MILITARY HISTOBY OF TIIK ROYAL NAVY, 1816-185G.
and, upon the whole, it may be said that never did the unsuccessful
party to a great war escape more easily. But it must be recollected
that the Allies, in spite of their immense eti'orts. had touched only
a very little of the extreme outer fringe of the huge empire of the
Tsar. Sebastopol had been reduced. Not even the Crimea, how-
ever, had been conquered : and the heart of liussia, in spite of the
levelling of Bomarsund, the wreckage of buildings at Sweaborg, and
the burning of stores and capture of small craft in the Sea of Azof
and elsewhere, was as whole and sound as it had been before the
war. The result might have been very different, and better terms
might have been exacted by the Allies, had the British fleet at the
commencement of hostilities been in a more efficient condition than
it was, and had younger men and reformed ideas guided its action.
There was a time, earl}' in the campaign, when Sebastopol might
have been seized by a coup de main from seaward, proliably without
either much expenditure or much loss of life ; nor can it be doubted
that if Great Britain, previous to 1854, had properly developed her
screw navy, had availed herself of existing improvements in gunnery'
and rifle-manufacture," and had devoted proper attention to the
advocacy, as early as 1842, by the French Captain Lalirousse, of
the value of armoured vessels, she would have been a much more
formidable enemy to Russia than she actually proved herself. It
must not be forgotten that, but for the false conservatism of her
administrators, she might, even in 18")4, have possessed a great
fleet of fast scx-ew ships with well-protected machinery, and of fast
and heavily armed gunboats, rifled guns of large calibre, breech-
loading small-arms, and floating batteries practically impervious to
Russian projectiles, even at short range. With such material at
her disposal, and with men younger and more enlightened than
Napier and the Dundases to lead her fleets, it is possible, nay
probable, that she might have taken Cronstadt, and even St.
Petersbiu'g, early in the war, and so, l)y her sudden and indubitable
successes, have frightened Russia into speedy submission. Perhaps
the most valuable lesson of the war of 1854-55 was the importance
to a naval power of being able promptly to utilise the newest and
most formidable inventions that have been produced l)y the ingenuitj-
of man. The lesson, unfortunately, has not been thoroughly learnt
by Great Britain, even to this day. The war, however, led directly
' Rifled heavy guns had l)een constructed aud proved useful many years earher.
^ The needle-gun had been the weapon of the Prussian Army since 1848.
185G.] REVIE^y AT SPITHEAD. 503
or iiulirectl}' to iiiaiiy naval ret'dnus, inchuliug the introduction of
continuous service for seamen, the huilding of ironchids, and the
development of the power of the gun.
On St. George's Day, April ^yrd, l.s.")(), in honour of the con-
clusion of peace, and in recognition ol the work of the Navy,
Queen Victoria, in the Victoria and Albert, reviewed at Spithead
a large fleet, most of which had recently served either in the Baltic
or in the Black Sea, and all of which was ready for a fresh
campaign, if one had been deemed necessary. Her Majesty, in
addition to her personal suite, had with her in the yacht Admiral
Sir William Parker (2), Bart., G.C.B., principal A.D.C., Eear-Admiral
John, Marquess Townshend, A.D.C., Eear-Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons, G.C.B., Kear-Admiral Jurien de La (iraviere. representing
the French Navy, and Mr. Ralph Bernal Osborne, M.P., Secretary
of the Admiralty. The vessels reviewed were :—
.No.
Gims.
ll.P.S.
24
Shijis of the liue . . . .
•J,OL".l
li,G50
10
Screw frigates aud corvctte.-
407
5,030
18
Paddle-vessels . . . .
l-'7
0,130
4
Armoured floatin<: batteries
iji;
COO
120
(iiiii-vessels and gunboats
274
8,700
1
Sailing frigate . . . .
44
—
O
Ammunition ship.- . . . .
—
—
1
Hospital shiji . . . .
G
—
1
Floating factory . . . .
i.l
140
.00
Afortar vessels aud iiiortar lloat.-^
50
—
240 2,996 30,250
The coniuuiiid atloat was liclil liy YiL-c-Adiuiral Sii- George
Francis Seymour, K.C.B., Connnander-in-Chief at Portsmouth,
who, in the Eoyal George. 1(>2, led the fleet past the Queen's
yacht, which was anchored near tlie Nab. A number of French
officei's were entertained on JKiaid ibr paildle-yacht lilack Eagle.
The Peers were in the 'IndLsit, screw. Commander Charles
liichardson Johnson ; the Commons in the rer-^ecerance, 'I, screw,
C!onnnander John Wallace Douglas McDonald. After the review
there was a sham tight, ami at night the fleet was illuniinaled.
slU loMN KOMI NO c oMMl;l;l.l,l„ \ .1 ., '..i.l:.. AlOMIi.M. 01' TlIK ri.KKT.
( 50^ )
APPENDIX TO CHAPTEE XLIY
List of H.JE. Snips Wrkcked, FouxDKREn, Buunt, Taken or DESTROVEn,
1816-185(.i.
(Steamers (ire indicated <is sudi.)
Year.
Date.
l.M. Mip.
. 1S16
1816
1SI6
1816
IS16
IS 16
1817
I81V
1817
1817
1817
1818
1822
1823
1824
1824
1824
1825
1825
1S26
1826
1826
1827
1827
1B27
1827
1827
1828
I 'ommauiier.
[* Lo?t his life ou the
occasion.'
Kemavlis.
Feb. 20
Sept. 21
Nov. 4
.. 5
>• 11
., 16
Jan. 21
I. 21
Feb. 18
Oct. 2
Dec. 8
1810
June
1
1819
1820
Dec.
July
5
6
1820
Oct.
1821
Jan.
1821
Mar.
1822
Apr.
21
1822
Jnne
20
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
3Iar.
Aug.
Nov.
Jan.
Aug. 11
Jan. 14
Feb. 18
June 6
Nov.
Phoinix .
Whithiij, sch.
Covivs ,
Jiriseis .
Toy . .
Jieniiiula
Jasper' .
Telei/iapht a.b.
Akeste .
Julia .
Martin .
Shark, rec
.iiir
Enie .
Tigilant, rev.
f'arn.n .
(Hardwicke
\ cruiB. .
Sj)7-iffktJt/, rev.
L'ermuday sch.
Conjtance .
Drake
Racehorse .
Arab ,
Columhitie. .
Delight . ,
Dwarf, tut..
Fury, tlisc. sbip
Partri(li,e
Algeriite.
^fart^n .
Magpie, S(b
yimrod .
Diamond
Cynthia, packet
Hearty, packet
Eedwinij
Jan. 31 I Canihrian
14
32
10
•JO
10
lu
12
10
18
18
18
10
10
4
i 10
,10
20
18
46
10
18
(Capt. Chas. John jiusteul
I CO- }
j Lieut. Jnu. Jackson (3).
I I Capt. Jas. Juo. Gordon i
\ Br.mtr, C.U. i
„ George iJuuiett.
„ ^^aml. liobeits, C.B.
Cum. Jno. Takdibam {%). i
„ JhoniasOuew (^1). |
Lieut. Juo. Little (,2). i
(Capt. ilunav ,MaxwelU\
\ C.B. ]
! Com. Jeukiu .lonos.
I „ AuihewMitcbdK2).
(Lieut. Cbarles Newton i
t Huutev (att^. Com.)]
J Com. 'J imotby ^HTiven, j
1 C.B. J
Lieut. Hy. Nazer.
Com. John Funieaux.
I Lieut. Saml. Jlottley.
I Com. AN'illiam 1 liomasi
I Morgan.* i
I ,, Cbarles Adolpbus)
\ Baker.* j
( ,, A\ m. Bcnj. Suck-i
I lirg. ]
„ \\m. Holmes (2).*
„ Hon. Chas. Abbot.
„ Robt. Hay.*
Lieut. Nicholas Gould.
fCom. Henry I'arUyusi
\ Hoppuer. >
Com. Charles \\>niyss C-)-*
I Com. Saml. Spar.'^hott.
, (lu ordinary).
I Lieut. Jubu \\ bite C-)-
(Com, Douglas Chas. Claver-
l ing.*
(Capt. Gaweu Wm. Hamil-:
t ton, C.B. :
Wrecked
Wrecked
(Wrecked
I land.
A\'iet ked
Wreiked
Wrecked
\\' reeked
Wret ked
Wi ecked off Pulo Leat.
off Tristan d'Acuuha: 55
near Sniyraa.
near Padstcw,
off Cape Pine, Xe« found-
near Pt. Pedras. Cuba.
in G. of Mexico,
uoir 'lampicij Par.
under Mt. Patten: 72 lost,
under Alt. Patten.
fWi ecked
I lost.
Wrecked
off W. of Ireland,
at Jamaica.
A\' reeked at the C. de Verde Islands.
Wrecked near lorbay.
\V recked near I'uri, India.
\Vrecked in Dumbnm Bay.
M' recked off Poitbud.
I Foundered between Halifax aud Eer-
\ miida: all lost.
\V recked off Mizen Head: all lost.
(Wrecked off Newfoundland : many
i lObt.
A\" recked ou I.augness, L of Man.
t Wrecked off Belmullet, W. of Ireland :
t all lost.
Wieeked off L of .'~apien7a.
iWietked in a cyclone, Mauritius: all
I lost.
AV recked ou the pier, Kingstown.
Bilged iu Regent's Inlet, Art tic.
Mranded off the 'lexel.
(Capsized in a squall, Mediterranean:
( a!l lost.
.■"uppased foundere<l off the Cape.
iWncked in Colurados Road, Cuba:
( nearly all lost.
I Bilged in Holyh'ad Bay. (Got off
( and sold )
Accidentally burnt at Portsmouth.
Wrecked off Barbados.
Supposed burnt at sea: all lost.
iSnppojcd foundered, W. Afr. ^taliou:
\ all lost.
Wrecked off Grabusa, Mediterrvieau.
LOSSES OF THE BRITISH SAW, Isl(;-1856.
505
Year. Date.
ir.M. Ship.
< 'ommauiler.
[* Lust liis life on llic
ucaisiotK]
Remarks.
1828
1828
1823
1828
1328
182S
1823
1829
1829
1829
1830
1830
1831
1832
1835
1835
1835
1835
1836
1838
1833
1840
1811
1812
1842
1843
1813
1845
1841
184?
1847
1843
1848
1850
1850
Apr.
>*
I
Oct.
Acorn
Contest, \!,. b.
Dec. IS
Feb.
Apr.
Nov.
Mar.
Dec.
May
1833 Feb.
1P33 Dec.
1831
1834
Aug.
Dec.
Feb.
Jlar.
' Hay
Feb.
Jan.
Mar.
1838 I Apr. 12
1833 I
1839
1840
1810
1S40
1S40
1840
Nov. -JS
July -JS
Oct.
Nov. 13
Dec.
Jane
Sept.
Mav.
July
Apr.
I Mar.
Feb.
I Aug.
Dec.
Oct.
Xov.
1851 May
I85-J Feb.
1852
Parthian , .
Union ^ bch. .
Jasper ....
Redpole, packet
Ka ngaroo, surv. ves.
Ariel^ packet . .
yightinyiik, scb. .
Myrtle, packet .
Success ....
Wolf
Thetis ....
Jfonfeej/, sch. . .
liecruit, g. b. . .
Calypso, packet .
Tfiais, packet . .
Chamele-tn, rev. cut.
yimbU. Sfh.
Firejty, sch. . ,
Jackdaw, sarv. sch.
ffouml, rev. cut. .
OiaUenf}er .
Pike, sell. .
liriseif, packet.
Pincher, scb. .
Rapid ....
DiUiience, rev. cut.
Tribune ....
Buffalo^ St. ship. .
i TaUivera
Imof/ette ....
: Fhiry, surv. ves. .
Spey, packet . .
i Jiebra ....
I Skipjacl.; sch, .
Victor ....
; Spitjire, bteaiu-'r .
.l/«;/(p/<;, steiin:*r .
Lizard, >.tf;iiucr
Skylark, packet
Osprey ....
(Tfiunderljott, steami
I sloop . . . .]
29 Snake
(Avenyrt;
I gate
j Mutine
steam frl-i
f Erebug, HcTcvv iliac. 1
I ves.
f Terror, screw lli^c. t
( ve^ i
AtteUxiiU, teuder . i
Flamer. steam g. v,
(Reynard, stooiiii
1 K- V ]
iBirkenhtad, steam |i
I tr. s ),
{Invest if/at 'ir, surv. j
Com. Edward Gordon.*
( Lieut. Ea« ar.I Plaggen-
l borg.*
fCom. Hon. Geo, Freik.
I Hotham.
Lieut. Chas. Madden.
Com. Leonard ('has. Rooke.
Master Aiith. do Mayiie.
Lieut. Ge-j. \\oo>\.
Com. Robt. Russell (3}.
Capt. Saral. llurgoss.
Lieut. Thomas Ilociges.*
„ Richard Teytou.*
,, John I'ratt&ri.*
I „ Charles liolu.n.
'( ,, Jas. Julius McTion-t
\ nell. j
„ Edward Itarnett.
,, Jno. Hasler Htdhy.
Capt. Michael iwyimmv v ■_•).
Lieut. Arthur lirooking.
„ .luhn Downey.*
,, Thomas Hope (11.*
I ., Hon. Graham Havi
' >t. V. do K .s Kin'-
I nalrd.* |
fCapt. Cha-;. Hamlyn W'il-i
I Hams. )
Master 'ames Wood.
(In Ordinary).
(In Ordinary).
Capt. Wni. Ileweit. •
Lieut Kobt. IJjstard. lames.
(Com. Robt. Kan-hawe)
\ 8topford. i
Lieut. Aug. Chas. May. j
Com. Chas. Cooke Otway.*
(Lieut. I£«iy Erskine Sbip-i
I ley AVinthvi)!). I
,, Geo. Otdmixun.
I „ Chas. Jas. I'ostle.
i „ Geo. Morris.
13 I Com. Fredk. Patten.
6 I „ Alexauiler lioyle.
la If » Thos. Bonrmasteri
*® ! Brown. J
- (Capt. Clms. Geo. Elersi
^ ( Napier.* /
Vi Com. .lohii Jtrvis Talmer.
/Capt. .Sir John l-'rauklin,)
Kt. (d. 1HI7 . (
, James Fil/Jomes/
(d. IM4H). I
, Francis Kawdon
W'revked on Halifax station ; all lost.
. Wrecked on Halifax station : all lost.
■ \V recked near :\Iarabout IsM, Egypt.
AVrei'ke.l off Rose Isld., W. Indies.
Wrecked off sta Maora.
fSuuk in action with Congress, a pirate,
\ i.ffC. Frio.
Wrecked on Jamaica station.
Snppo.'^ed lost near Sable Island.
Wrecked on the Sh'ngle<.
Wrecked off Xova .S^-otla.
Wrecked in Cotkbum ."^ouud.
Wrecked off L of Wi^'bt.
Wieokel off C.pe Frio.
Wrecked on Tampico liar.
(Supposed foundered off Bermuila: all
I lost.
/Foundered between Halifax and Eug-
( land : all lost
(.Supposed foundered in Atlantic: all
i l<ist.
Rtm down off Dover by H.>LS. Ca$tor,
Wrecked in Old Habama Channel.
Wrecked off liritisb Honduras.
Wrecked off Old Providence. Honduras.
Wreckel in Weymouth Hay,
Wrecked on coast ol'Cbib\
AVreckcl o i Pelican Reef, .Umaica.
(Sui posed foundered in Atlantic: all
1 UM.
Capsized off 1 he Owers: all lost.
Wrecked off Crete, Mediten*aucan.
\\' recked on coast of Ireland : 46 lost.
Wreckel ne:ir Tarragona.
Wrecke I off New Zealauil.
Accidentally buintat Plymouth.
Avciilentally bumt at P'ymoulh,
Wreckt-d off coa^t of Suffolk : all lost.
Wrecked on Racoon Key.
Wreuke I off Mt. Carmel, Levant.
Wrecked on the Caymans.
(Suppose! foundered between Vera
I Cau and Halifa.v : all lost.
Wrc'ked on Half Moon Key, 1 (unduras.
Wiecke i on Itare Hush Key.
Run dovvu hy Fren h war^llip V-'hce,
Wrecked on Kimmeiidge Ledge.
(Wre;'kcd off False Hoklanen, New
1 Zealand.
Wrecked on Cape Recife, s. ,\frlia.
Wrecked in Mozambique Chauuol.
/Wrecited on .'^orelle Rocks, M^d ter-
I ranean : 'iid lost.
Wreckel in the Adriatic.
Abanlonel in ihe .\rctic Le.
Lieut.
(Com.
Molra
(d. 1.'<4H). I
.h)->. Lyons Maclcml.
.la-*. Aldrtorth St.)
Leger. i
Peter Cracroft.
(.'rozler/ Abau lonel in the Ar.tlc li*».
Wrecked on Itanaua Isld., \Y.
Wrecked on coast of Africa.
Africa.
Master Wobsrt Salmond.*
ii'oni. Robt. Juo. Let
I Me*urlor .McCluro. j'
Wrecked on IVatas Shoal, ChtUii Scaw.
.Wrecked off Pt. Danger, S. Africa:
t 430 lost.
Abandoned Id the Arctic Ice.
50G
LO,^SES itF TUE JUHTisfl XAVY. ISlU-iyoG.
Year.
1854
1S54
1854
1854
1854
1854
1855
1855 ;
1855
1856
185(1
Hate.
May
II M. Ship.
Jasper, steam g. v.
Assistanre .
( Fimu'cr, screw ten-
l der. . . . .
(Intrepid. >ciew leu-]
I der J
July
Aug. 11
Coraiii.md r.
[* Lost liis life ou ihe
occasiuii.j
I .ieut. ("ba'^. G ibbs ( 'lawley .
(Capt. Sir Edward Itelcher, i
I C.B. )
I'lmi. Sberard Osbora.
Capt. Henry ICellett.
iCom. Fras. Loop. :\lc(,.'lin-i
Tiyer, steam frigate [ 16
Jasper, steam g. v. I 2
Jiermiula, sch. ... 3
Wolverine . . -12
^\'erbuddtt . . .12
Pvfyphemirs. steimer .i
llurnt in the Channel.
Abandoned in the Arctic Ice.
Abandoned in the Arctic Ice.
( Abandoned iu the Arctic- ke. llecovd.
[ lS5lj.
I
fCapt.
took
Henrv
I fard> I
(Lieut. Joseph ."ami. Ilud-i
I sou. I
Lieut. AVm. Cashinaii.
Com. John Corbeti.
(Com. Henry Ashburtoui
I Kerr * '
Abandoned in the Arctic Ice.
\Vells Gif- i I Grounded under batteries near Odessa :
( taken and sink.
I Wrecked in tlie Sea of Azof. Taken
( by Russians.
AV recked in the W. Indies.
Wrecked on Courtowu Bank.
I Supposed foundered o:i Cape .Station
i about July 10th: all lost.
\\ recked on coast of .Jutland.
XoTK. — Particulars of the tindiiig of the Court of Inquiry, or of the Court Martial,
in most of the above cases will be found iii the Parlianieiitary Keturns, Nos. 176, and
399, of 1891 (Navy: Ships Lost otherwise than io Action). The Returns in question
are, however, incomplete, and, in several cases, inaccurate, and were the subject of a
correspondence between myself and Lord George Hamilton, then First Lord.
TUi: i;.\LTu Mi:i'AL.
( 507 )
CHAl'TEE XLV.
VOYAGES AND DISCOVEEIES, 1816-56.
SiE Clemf.xts K, Markham, K.C.B., F.E.8.
AVilliara Scorcsby — liucliaii's voyage — Jnhii Koss in liallin's Bay — ParryV fiist voyage
— Parry's second voyage — Parry's third voyage — F. W. Beechey — Franklin's over-
land expedition — Patriotism of Felix Booth — Discoveries of John, and J. C. Koss —
Back's search for the Kosses — Back's voyage — Scientific residts of Arctic work —
Admiralty surveys — W. F. Owen — Clapperton's travels — The Niger expedition —
P. P. King— Robert FitzRoy— Basil Hall— R. Collinson— H. Kellett— Sir Edward
Jielcher — F. P. Blackwood — Owen Stanley — Henry Raper — Sir Francis Beaufort
— J. C. Ross, and Crozier in the Antarctic — Franklin's last voyAge— Kellett in the
Pacific — The long search for Franklin — The younger Arctic voyagers — Surveyors
in war time.
Aitc'i'ir MKn.M.
mbbun : white.
»■ inVO years after
-^ tlic peace,
tlic well-known
wlialing master.
William Scoresby.
returned from tlic
A re til- reuidn^
with tile illlelii-
^^enee that su npeii
a season had ne\ir
been known. Il
was ]io|ied that
tlie next season woidd lind tlic Aietic seas equally t'lear of iee. and
Barrow made such good use of the report that it was resolved to
despatch two expeditions to tlie north in ISIH, one to the Spitz-
l)eri,'en seas, and the other np Davis Strait. Thus was the era of
naval .\rctic ex]iliiialii)n happily commenced with some prospect of
continuity. Foiii' whalers were hired, the Dorothea, and 'I'rcn/ for
Siiit/.hergen, the haliilld , and .Uiraiidrr for l>avis Strait Tlie
508 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
command of the Spitzbergen expedition was entrusted to Commander
David Buchan,' who had previously been employed on the explora-
tion of the interior of Newfoundland. He had Mr. Arthur Morell
as his first Lieutenant. The Trent was commanded by Lieutenant
John Franklin,- who had already seen hard surveying service with
Flinders. Frederick William Beechey, one of Mediterranean
Smyth's pupils, was his second in command, and George Back,
who was destined, like Franklin and Beechey, to become a renowned
Arctic explorer, was a Mate on board the vessel. It turned out to
be a bad year, and Buchan was not so successful as Phipps in
pushing northward. Bad weather and much danger from the ice
were encountered in very unseaworthy vessels, but priceless ex-
perience of Arctic navigation was acquired.^
The voyage up Davis Strait was more important. The leader of
this expedition was Captain John Boss,'' an officer who had seen
much service in the Baltic with Saumarez. His more distinguished
nephew, James Clark Eoss,^ went with him as a Midshipman in
the Isabella. The Alexander was commanded by Lieutenant
William Edward Parry,*^ under whom was Lieutenant Henry
Parkyns Hoppner. The two vessels, Isabella, and Alexander,
passed north through Davis Strait, and sailed round Baffin's Bay,
the existence of which had long been doubted. Ross thus re-
habilitated the fame of the great Elizabethan navigator. The result
of Ross's first voyage ' was very important. The whalers im-
mediately followed him into the north water of Baffin's Ba_y, and
thus a lucrative trade was established, which continued to flourish
for many years. Ross also took the deepest sounding, and brought
> Com. Ap. 13th, 181G ; Capt. .Tune 12th, 1823.— W. L. C.
= John Franklin (1), bom 1786; entered Navy, 1800; Lieut. Feb. llth, 1808;
Com. Jan. 1st, 1821 ; Capt. Nov. 20th, 1822 ; Kt 1829 ; K.C.H. 1836 ; took com-
mand of Erehits for Arctic discovery, 1845 ; perished in the ice, June llth, 1847. He
was a F.E.S., and a D.C.L. (Oxon.)— W. L. C.
' See ' A Voyage of Disc, towards the N. Pole,' by Capt. F. W. Beechey,
1843.— W. L; C. "
* Born, 1777 : entered Navy, 1786 ; Lieut. Mar. 13th, 1805 ; Com. Feb. 1st, 1812 ;
Capt. Dec. 7th, 1818 ; died a Kt., C.B., and retired r.-adm., in 1856.— W. L. C.
^ Born, 1800; entered Navy, 1812 ; Lieut. Dec. 26th, 1822; Com. Nov. 8th, 1827 ;
Capt. Oct. 28th, 1834 ; died a Kt. and retired r.-adm. in 1862.— AV. L. C.
» William Edward Parry, born 1790 ; entered Navy, 1803 ; Lieut. Jan. 6th, 1810 ;
Com. Nov. 4th, 1820 ; Capt. Nov. 8th, 1821 ; Actg. Hydrographer, Dec. 1st, 1823 ;
Hydrographer, Nov. 22nd, 1825, to Nov. 10th, 1826, and Nov. 2nd, 1827, to May 13th,
1829 ; Kt. 1829 ; Contr. of Steam Dept. of Navy, 1837 to 1846 ; F.R.S., LL.D.,
(Cantab.) ; E.-Adm. July 30th, 1852 ; died July 8th, 1855.— W. L. C.
' See ' A Voyage of Discovery,' 2 vols., 1819. — "W. L. C.
1818.]
JOHN BOSS'S VOYAGE.
509
up organisms fnmi tlio greatest depth, tlicn kimwii. I^ut lie con-
ceived that Smith, Jones, and Lancaster Sounds, discovered and
named liy ]'>affin at the head of the hay, or rather sea, which hears
510 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, Ls 10-1856.
his name, were merely bays. He consequently reported that there
was no opening to the westward from Baffin's Bay.
His second in command, and the other officers of the IsahcJla,
were of a different opinion. Lieutenant Parry strongly represented
that Lancaster Sound opened upon a wide strait leading westward.
It was, therefore, resolved that a second expedition should he des-
patched, under the command of Parry, to endeavour to find a passage
from Lancaster Sound to the Pacific. It consisted of two strongly-
built old vessels, the Hecla, late bomb, and Griper, late gun-l)rig.
With Parry, in the Hccia, were Frederick William Beechey, Captain
Sabine, E.A., for magnetic observations, and James Clark Boss.
The Griper was commanded by Lieutenant Matthew Liddon, with
Henry Parkj'ns Hoppner as his first Lieutenant. The expedition
sailed in the spiing of 1819.
In the days of saihng ships, there was great difficulty in passing
northwards from Davis Strait to the open water, found by Baffin and
by Ross, in the head of Baffin's Bay. The safe passage which was
made by sticking to the land Hoe of Melville Bay usually caused
much delay ; while an attempt to pass through the " middle pack "
drifting south entailed the danger of being beset, ;nid being drifted
out again into the Atlantic. Such an attempt could very rarely be
successful. Parry, after consultation with his ice masters, and
careful consideration of the circumstances of the season, resolved to
take the " middle pack." He was right, and his ships reached the
" North Water " unprecedentedly early.
Parry sailed triumphantly into Lancaster Sound, which liad lieen
supposed by Boss to form a bay surrounded by mountains. Passing
westward, he named after Barrow the channel leading in the direc-
tion which he was instructed to take, seeing that the Secretary to
the Admiralty had been the chief promoter of these voyages. A
great opening leading north was named Wellington Channel, and
one to the south was called after the Prince Eegent. Drifting tloes
of ice were seen, hut they offered slight obstruction to the Hecht and
Griper. Parry discovered islands on the northern side of his route,
which he named the North Georgian group, hut which have since
been more appropriately known as the Parry Islands, and he reached
the far western longitude of JIO . The sagacious leader saw, from
the nature of the ice, that no further progress was possible, and he
proceeded to establish his ships in the safe quarters of " AVinter
Harbour," in Melville Island.
lf!19-23.] PAnjll'IS DISCOVERIES. 511
The first time tliat disiijilincil iinii-(ir-\var passed a winter in the
Arctic regions is nieinoralilc lor sc^vt^'al reasons. It tested the
qualities of officers and men amid very trying circumstances, and
proved the adaptabihty of British seamen to novel and unaccus-
tomed service. While discipline was necessarily mucli relaxed, no
advantage was taken of that fact ; and officers and men worked
harmoniously together to maintain and preserve health and spirits
by joining in the occupations and amusements devised by their
leader. Parry's first voyage, both as regai'ds the experience acquired
during a difficult and anxious navigation, and the qualities brought
out in the still more trying period of the winter, showed the
immense value of such service as a training ground for officers
and men.
The return of Pari7's expedition in flu; autumn made a deep
impression on the nation. The despatch of such voyages became a
settled policy for fully fifteen years. The great advantages to the Navy
were then clearly understood, and the most captious acknowledged
that the slight outlay which se(-ured such results was well spent.
The objects of the Arctic voyages of the nineteenth century
were not the discovery of routes for commerce, but the attainment
of valuable scientific results. Parry had ascertained that there
could be no passage to the westward of Melville Island, owing to
the impenetrable charactei- of the polar pack. He, therefore,
turned his attention in his second voyage, 1821-23, to the com-
pletion of work commenced in the eighteenth century to the
nortli of Hudson's Bay. His ships were the JFwr// and 7/«7«, both
strongly-built old bomb vessels, the formei- being his own ship, and
the latter being under the connnand of tlu^ accomplished George
Francis Lyon,* who liad just returned from an African exploring
journey. I\irry had with liim several veterans of the first voyage —
Lieutenants Henry I'arkyns IlojJiniei-, and Jose])li Nias ; Alexander
Fisher (Surgeon), and Januis Clark Koss ; and some, such as Joseph
Sherer, Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier, and Ivlwaid .Tosejih P)ird,
who then made tluiir first ae(|Uaintance with .\irtic ice, but who
remained true to that fascinating branch of naval service.
In his second voyage. Parry performed the work very thoroughly,
as he always did. His ol)ject was to discover an outlet leading
westward, to the north ol Hudson's Bay : and he succeeded, having
remained out for two winters, 1821 to 182:1 He traced out " Hecla
' CiMii. Jan. ;!nl, 1K21 ; Ciipt- ^''"'^'- '•'*''- ^^-■''- '"«*' "'^'- l"-'2. -W. L. C.
512
VOYAGES AND DISCOVEBIES, 1816-1856.
and Fury Strait," which opened on a previouslj' unknown sea, and
he discovered Melville Peninsula, an important feature of the north
coast of America.^ In 1824, the year after Parrj^'s return, Lyon
was sent, in the Griper, to attempt a voyage to Repulse Bay, but
the ice was impenetrable, and he failed.
A combined effort was organised, in 1S24, to complete the
EEAK-ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY, KT., D.C.L., T.R.S.
(From the pidmr bij Clias. Seullinre.)
[By. permission of the Lords of the Admiralty.]
discovery of the northern coast of America. Parry was to make
the attempt to reach the sea to the westward of Hecla and Fury
Strait by way of Barrow's Strait and Prince Eegent's Inlet. He
commissioned the Hecla, while his old and tried companion Hoppner
commanded the Furtj. Many of their officers afterwards became
well known in the service. There were Henry Foster," whose
' ' Journal of a Second Voyage,' etc. London, 1824. — W. L. C.
= Henry Foster, bom 1798 ; Com. Nov. 30th, 1827 ; died Feb. 3rd, 1831.
1824-27.] PAEMY'S LATEll VOYAGES. 513
scientific attaiuuients won him honour i'rom the Koyal Society,
James Clark Eoss, the leader of the famous Antarctic voyage,
F. I\. M. Crozier and E. J. Bird, his faithful companions in that
enterprise, Joseph Sherer, so famous as the capturer of slavers,
Horatio Thomas Austin, w-ho did admirable service himself as an
Arctic leader — two ships manned by men of high promise. At the
same time the Blossom was commissioned by Commander Frederick
William Beechey, whose record was a very distinguished one. As a
surveyor he was the pupil of Mediterranean Smyth. He had been
first Lieutenant of the Trent with Franklin, and of the Hecla in
Parry's first voyage ; and had done good service in the Tripoli
expedition of 18'2'2, when he explored Cyrenaica and the Greater
Syrtis.' The Blossom's work included an examination of the
numerous islands east of Tahiti, and an attempt to meet Parry's
expedition by waj' of Bering Strait.
Franklin, after his command of the Trent, had been employed
from 1819 to 18-22 on a laud journey to trace dow;i the great rivers,
Mackenzie and Coppermine, to the Arctic Sea, and to explore its
shores. He had been accompanied by a naval Surgeon, Dr. John
Richardson (2), and by two Midshipmen, Hood and George Back.
The latter had served with him in the Trent. The story of the
fearful hardships and sufferings endured by these intrepid officers
is one of the most absorbing in naval annals.^ Franklin had
returned after a three years' absence, but he was allowed very
little rest. His second journey to the Polar Sea was undertaken
with the object of co-operating with the expeditions of Parry and
Beechey.
Parry found the season in Baffin's Bay exceptionally unfavour-
able. He was obUged to winter at Port Bowen, on the eastern
shore of Prince Regent's Inlet, where most valuable observations
were taken. But, soon after the two vessels got out of winter
quarters in 182.5, the Funj was driven on shore by the ice, on the
western coast, and became a wreck. Her provisions were landed on
what has ever since been known as Fury Beach, and the two crews
returned home in the Hecla. The Blossom discovered the north
coast of America from Icy Cape, the furthest point of Captain Cook,
to Cape Barrow, a distance of 12G miles. Her connuission extended
' Sec ' Proceedings uf the E.xped. h< exjiloro the N. Coast of Africa," by 15ccclu>y.
— W. L. C.
^ Sec Fraultliu's ' Narr. of a .Journey to the Sliores of tlio Polar Sea.'— W. L. C.
VOL. VI. '2 L
514 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
from 1825 to 1828, during which time Captain Beechey, besides his
Arctic discovery, did most vahiable surveying work in the Pacific.
Meanwhile, Franklin, with his well-tried companion George Back,
reached the Polar Sea by Mackenzie Eiver, and traced the coast
of the continent westward as far as Cape Turnagain. A very short
gap was left between Franklin's and Beechey 's farthest ; and this
was subsequently filled up by Dease, and Simpson, of the Hudson's
Bay Company's service.
While Sir Edward Parry was employed on his second and third
voyages he held the post of Hydrographer ; that excellent draughtsman
Michael Walker conducting the work of the department during the
absence of his chief on active service. The Admiralty consented to
a third period of absence, when the indefatigable explorer submitted
a plan for attempting to reach the Pole from Spitzbergen, by means
of two boats to be dragged over the ice on runners, while a ship
remained in a harbour on the north coast of Spitzbergen as a base
for their operations.
Sir Edward Parry sailed on this adventurous enterprise on board
the Hecla in the summer of 1827, accompanied by his old Arctic
comrades Foster, Crozier, Eoss, and Bird. The ship was safely
moored in Hecla Cove in charge of Lieutenant Foster; and Parry, with
his other officers, landed the two boats on the ice of the Polar pack,
and began his northward journey. With much difficulty he reached
a latitude of 82° 45' N., which, for the next fifty years, continued to
be the most northern point ever attained by man. But the ice-floes
were drifting southward as fast as the explorers, with all their
efforts, could make their way northwards. At last the hopeless
struggle was abandoned, and the expedition returned home.^ Parry
retained the appointment of Hydrographer until 1829, when he
was succeeded by Captain (afterwards Sir) Francis Beaufort.
During those ten years of Parry's brilliant Arctic service. Captain
John Eoss had been brooding over his fatal blunder in converting
Lancaster Sound into a bay^a blunder which had ruined his
prospects at the Admiralty. At last he persuaded a wealthy distiller
named Felix Booth ' to incur the expense of fitting out a small
expedition to enable him to rehabilitate his reputation as an Arctic
explorer. A small steam vessel called the Victory was equipped, and
Captain Eoss sailed for Baffin's Bay in the spring of 1829. He was
' ' Narr. of an Attempt to Eencb the North Pole,' etc., 1828.— \V. L. C.
^ Later a baronet.
1829-33.] JOHN BOSS'S DISCOVERIES. 515
SO fortunate as to secure the services, as second iu command, of his
nephew, James Clark Ross, whose ice experience was equalled by
that of Parry alone. The second officer was old Abernethy, a very
able but hard-drinking naval quartermaster, who had also served
with Parry.
With mingled feelings of regi-et and satisfaction Captain John
REAR-ADMIUAI. Silt KllAXCIS DEAUFORT, K.C.H., D.C.L., F.R.S., ilYDROORAPIIF-R
1829-1855.
ifrum the pleUire hy SUpltm Pearce.)
[liy i)ermi8sion of the Lonln of flic AUmimlty.]
Ross must have jiassed the ()])in ))ortals of Lancaster Sound which
he had so confidently closed in isl.s. The Victonj was navigated
down Prince Regent's Inlet for a long distance, into a large gulf
with a previously undiscovered coastline to the west. The new land
received the name of Boothia Felix, and the adjoining sea was called
the Gulf of Boothia. The Victonj was secured in winter quarters
in Felix Harbour, the ncigbbouihood f>f which the ice never again
2 L 2
516 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
allowed her to leave. James Clark Koss made several important
land jom-neys, discovering Boothia Isthmus, the north coast of King
\A^illiam Island as far as Cape Felix, and the western shore of
Boothia northwards to a point in 72° N. where he found the
dip of the needle to be nearly 90°. He had discovered the North
Magnetic Pole.
The Victory had been three years fast locked in her winter
quarters, and there was no prospect of her extrication from the ice.
The provisions were nearly exhausted ; and in the summer of 1832
the Bosses and their crew retreated northwards in the boats to Fury
Beach. It was a forlorn hope. They lived through the winter on
the Fi(ri/'s provisions, but it was doubtful whether any of them would
survive to return to England. A long letter from Captain Koss to
Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin is still in existence, describing
the results of the voyage, but expressing but shght hope of being
rescued. In 1833 the little party of desperate men left Fm-y Beach
in its boats, and was eventually picked up by a whaler in Barrow's
Strait, and brought home safely.^
Great anxiety had been felt respecting the fate of the missing
explorers ; and Commander George Back, accompanied by Dr. King,
led a search expedition down the Great Fish or Back River, the
course of which he discovered to its mouth in the Polar Sea.
Dr. King left a caclic of provisions on Montreal Island, at the river's
mouth, a place which afterwards became famous as the last point
reached by the sunivors of the Franklin expedition.^
The last voyage during what may be considered as the first
period of modern Arctic discovery was made under the command of
Captain George Back, and in compliance with the representations
of the Eoyal Geographical Society. The object was to attain the
position which Captain Lyon had vainly attempted to reach, namel)',
Eepulse Bay, by sea. Back also was doomed to failiire. He com-
missioned the Terror ^ in 1836, and secured a set of officers of
exceptional abihty, several of whom succeeded in winning naval
laurels during their subsequent careers. The first Lieutenant, William
Smyth,^ who had served with Beechey in the Blossom, was the future
' Set John Ross's ' NaiT. of a Second Voyage in Search of a N.W. Passage,' 1835.
— W. L. C.
- See Back's ' Narr. of the Arctic Land Expedition.' — W. L. C.
' Back had been posted on Sejjt. 30th, 1835. — AV. L. C.
* Wm. Smyth was made a Com. Nov. 15th, 1837, and a Captain Dec. 25th, 1843. —
W. L. 0.
1836.] BACK'S VOYAGE. 517
explorer of the Amazons, and a most accomplished draughtsman.
In tlie Terror, too, were Lieutenant Owen Stanley, the well-known
surveyor of Torres Strait ; Archibald McMurdo, of Antarctic fame ;
Midshipman Graham Gore, who was afterwards among tlie most
able of FrankUn's lost heroes ; and Kobert John Le Mesurier McClure,
the future discoverer of a north-west passage. The voyage of the
Terror was one of exceptional hardship and suffering. Beset by the
ice off Southampton Island, Back and his gallant companions were
forced to winter in the drifting pack. Dming the winter the ice
broke up, the ship was nipped and crushed between the contending
floes, and more than once the destruction of aU on board seemed
imminent. The darkness of an Arctic night added to the horrors
of their position. The Terror was in a sinking state when she
crossed the Atlantic, and it was necessary, on reaching the Irish
coast, to lam her on shore in Lough Swilly, to prevent her from
going down.'
Arctic service is arduous and difficult, but it offers admirable oppor-
tunities for gaining habits of forming quick and right decisions, and
for cultivating presence of mind, and all the qualities that are needed
for success in war. This is its most useful and important side.
Next in value are its scientific results. Captain. Sabine, R.A.,
accompanied the first voyages of Boss and Parry to conduct
magnetic observations ; and afterwards the Griper was commissioned
by Connnander Douglas Charles Clavering to take him to Spitz-
bergen and the east coast of Greenland to swing the seconds
pendulum. It was then that the Pendulum Islands were discovered.
James Clark Boss discovered the North Magnetic Pole ; and Henry
Poster received the Copley medal from the Boyal Society for his
observations for terrestrial magnetism, refraction, and velocity of
sound at Port Bowen. Equally valuable results were derived from the
diligently conducted investigations relating to meteorology, anthro-
pologj', biology, and botany. Geology was then in its infancy. Nor
must the practical and commercial results of Arctic naval enterprise
be forgotten. The whale fishery was confined to Davis Strait until
Boss, in 181k, passed through Melville Bay and showed the way
into the " North Water." The consequence of his voyage was that the
whalers followed him, and a most lucrative fishery was established,
wliicli (loui-ishcil I'lir iniii-r lli;in li.ilf a century. In tlic same way
' ' Narr. of ail Kxpud. ill II. M.S. '/'ertoi;' etc. Back was given the Gold Medal of
the K.U.S. in 1H37, and laiislited in IH,'!!).— W. L. C.
518 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-185G.
Parry's third voyage was the direct cause of the estabhshment of
a whale fishery up Prince Eegent's Inlet. Two young Lieutenants,
Joseph Sherer, and James Clark Koss, were the first to kill a
payable whale in that remote and ice-encumbered sea. They led
the way.
The energy and public spirit at the Admiralty, which were so
remarkable with regard to Arctic enterprise while Sir John Barrow's
influence prevailed, was not wanting with reference to the surveying
operations of our Navy, during the same period, in other parts of
the world.
In August, 1821, Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen commis-
sioned the Leven, 24, for the survey of the coasts of Africa. He
had previously seen much service in the East Indies, and had been a
prisoner at Mauritius for two years. The Leven had a tender called
the Barracouta, commanded by Commander William Cutfield ; and in
1822 these two vessels executed a surve}' of Table Bay. Captain
Owen and his officers and men were entering upon most arduous
work in a deadly climate, far more dangerous to life and health than
service in the Arctic regions.
Departing to Delagoa Bay, the men, serving up the rivers in
open boats, died in great numbers. The ships were decimated ; and
among the victims was Cutfield, who was succeeded by Commander
Alexander Thomas Emeric Vidal, with Lieutenant Thomas Boteler
as his assistant. The work was resolutely continued along the
Mozambique coast, in 1823, by Sofala and Quilhmane to Zanzibar
and Mombasa, and was followed by the survey of the Seychelles,
and Tamatave. As giving an idea of the desperate character of this
service, more desperate than a hard-fought campaign, it is recorded
that two-thirds of the officers of those siu-veying vessels fell victims,
and that half the men died in seven months.
In November, 1825, Captain W. F. Owen began the survey of the
west coast of Africa at Walfisch Bay, gradually working up to Sierra
Leone and the Gambia. He returned home after a service of five
years, having traced thirty thousand miles of coast, and prepared
eighty-three charts and plans. When it is considered that no chart-
room was supplied on board the Leven, and that she laboured under
other avoidable disadvantages, the amount of work done by her
officers in such a climate must be regarded as prodigious. Boteler
died of fever on the coast in 1829, being then Commander of the
Hecla, surveving vessel. Vidal also continued to work on the west
1832-41.] SURVEY WORK IN WEST AFRICA. 519
coast after the return of the Leven ; and he later surveyed the Azores
on board the Styx from 1841 to 1845.
It is to the Nav}' that are due the orii,nnal discoveries which
eventuahy led to the opening up of the Soudan. The remarkable
journeys of Commander Hugh Clapperton,' K.N., from Tripoli to
Kano, near which place he died, led to the discovery of the mouth
of the Niger by his servant, Eichard Lander. Lieutenant William
Allen (3), E.N., was the naval leader of Lander's Xiger Expedition
in June, 1832 ; but such was the deadly character of the chmate
that, out of 47 men, there were only 9 survivors, Allen being one.
A second Niger expedition went up the river under Lieutenant
Frederick Bullock.'- A third, consisting of three steamers,^ com-
manded by Captain Henry Dundas Trotter, and Commanders
William Allen (3), and Bird Allen, was despatched in 1841. Fever
broke out at the confluence of the Niger and Benue ; 44 men
died, and the expedition returned to Fernando Po in October,
1841. Among the victims was Bird Allen, an able and zealous
surveyor, who had served most of his time in the West Indies.*
The preliminary survey of the east and west coasts of Africa was
a grand work, intended to beneht not Great Britain only, but the whole
civilised world. Not less beneficent in its aim, certainly not less
diflicult in execution, was the survey of Magellan's Strait, and of the
intricate channels leading from the Gulf of Trinidad. This also was
undertaken, and Commander Philip Parker King was selected for the
service, commissioning the Adrcntidr in 1825. A small vessel called
the Beagle was selected as tender to the Adventure, under the com-
mand of Commander Pringle Stokes. King's first Lieutenant was
John Clements Wickham, and he also had with him Lieutenant
William George Skyring, a disciple of Mediterranean Smyth, in tlie
Aid. The work was commenced in 1826, and proceeded with in
the most difficult circumstances, witb frequent interruptions from
thick weather and gales of wind, in a rigorous climate, and amidst
perilous navigation. The chart of the extraordinarily intricate
' Born 1788 ; was prossetl into the Navy ; Lieutenant, 1815 ; Commander, 1825 ;
died, 1827. See ' Nair. of Travs. in North and Central Africa,' and I^andor : ' Records
of Capt. Clapperton's last E-xpedition.' — W. L. C.
'' A Cajitain of 18.38. Sue F. 0. List in next vol. -W. L. C.
' Albert, Witbcr/oirc, and Soudan, specially built, by Lairds, of liirkcnhoail.
of iron.
' ( ithcr officers who succumbed to fever were Master George B. Harvey ; Surgeon
William Barrett Marshall ; .Vsst. -Surgeons James Woodhouse, and Uoratio Collnmn ;
Mate William C. Willie; and Purser Cyrus Wakeham.^W. L. C.
52U VOYAOBS AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
channels leading from the Gulf of Trinidad represents a master-
piece of patient and persevering surveying by Skyring, whose
memory is preserved on the great expanse of inland water which
bears his name. At length, worn out by toil and overwork, Stokes,
of the Beagle, succumbed in 1828. Skyring was put in acting com-
mand by Commander King, but Eear-Admiral Kobert Waller Otway,
who was at Eio, superseded this hard-worked man, and appointed
his own flag-Lieutenant, Eobert FitzEoy, to the Beagle. Captain
King ^ returned to England in 1830.
FitzEoy became a very zealous surveyor. He was reappointed
to the Beagle in 1831, but the Admiralty never repaid him for the
cost of a tender which he had bought, and which was necessary for
the delineation of intricate channels and inlets. It w-as commanded
by Lieutenant Thomas Graves (6).' Such was the way in which the
Admiralt}' rewarded the zeal of its officers, leaving them several
thousands of pounds out of pocket, but accepting the work executed
through the use of that money. This treatment did not diminish
FitzEoy's zeal. " A'irtue is its own reward." The Beagle (of "235
tons) sailed in 1831. FitzEoy was assisted by such .surveyors as
Wickham, and John Lort Stokes. Skyring went to the west coast of
Africa in the ^tna, and was murdered by some natives at the Caches
river, near Cape Eoxo, in 1833. FitzEoy was also accompanied by
the naturalist Charles Eobert Darwin.^ During this voyage the
Beagle surveyed the west coast of Patagonia, the Falkland Islands,
and the whole of the west coast of South America as far as Guayaquil
and the Galapagos Islands. This was a most important service to
navigation, as the Spanish charts were many miles out, not only in
longitude, but also in latitude. Captain FitzEoy was a most
amiable as well as a zealous officer, and a good sailor. He was
afterwards Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1848, and com-
manded the Arrogant, steam frigate, in 1849. His last service was
the foundation of our system of meteorological forecasts.
King and FitzEoy had several distinguished disciples besides
Skyring. Wickham afterwards had command of the Beagle in 1838,
surveying Swan Eiver and part of the north coast of Australia.
John Lort Stokes, who was a Midshipman with FitzEoy, also
' Born 1793 ; posted 1830 ; retired 1850.— W. L. C.
" See ' Narr. of a Ten Years' Voyage of Disc, round the AVorld,' by FitzRc^y and
King (1841).— W. L. C.
3 Born 1809 ; died 1882.
1815-23.] BASIL HALL, AND JUS INFLUENCE. 521
served with Wickhain in Australia, succeeding him in the command
of the Beagle in 1841. He afterwards, from 1847 to 1853, made an
admirable svirvey of the west coast of New Zealand in the Acheron.
Graves did good service in the Ai'chipelago on board the Volage.
When Captain-Superintendent of the port at Valetta, he was
assassinated by a Maltese boatman in 18.56. Owen Stanley was a
still more distinguished pupil of King and FitzRoy. George Henry
Richards, and Frederick John 0. Evans, future Hydrographers,
were pupils of Stokes on board the Acheron.
In the period of the earher Arctic voyages and African surveys,
there was an officer who, though not himself a professed explorer or
surveyor, exercised great and beneficial influence over those who
wished to emulate the services of Parry and Owen, and, indeed, over
the whole rising naval generation. Captain Basil Hall ' commanded
the Lyra, 1815-17, when he visited the Loo Choo Islands, and was
in the Conwcuj on the west coast of South America from 1820 to
1823. An intelligent observer, always anxious to increase his stock
of knowledge for the good of the service, he was also imaginative
and endowed with a strong sense of humour. But his most valuable
gift was the power of imparting the results of his observations' and
his ideas to others. Of his immediate disciples in the Coniraij were
Alexander Bridport Becher, the future writer on the landfall of
Columbus, and Henry Foster, the scientific Arctic explorer. But
among several generations of naval officers, the name of the author
of ' Hall's Fragments ' continued to be a " household word."
We have seen how Basil Hall's most distinguished pupil received
the Copley Medal for his scientific work in the Arctic regions. But
Foster's career was soon afterwards cut short by an untimely death.
After his return from Spit/.])ergen, he received connuand of the
Chanticleer, u, barque of 287 tons; and lir had witli him C'nilinsoii
and Austin, both future Arctic commanders. She proceeded to the
West Indies, and Commander Foster took a series of pendulum
observations of the highest value. He was drowned - in the river
Chagres, when measuring tiu; difference of longitude between
Chagres and Panama.
Richard Collinson,-' the pupil both of Foster and of Beechey,
' Ba.sil IJall, born 1TH8; Com. IHll; C:ipt. 1817; died, 1811.— \V. L. C.
' On Feb. 3rd, 1831. He was bom in 1798, and was a Commander of 18'_'7.
— W. L. C.
' Sir Richard Collinson, burn IHU ; Com. IHIl ; Cnpt. 1842; l!.-.\(lni. 1862;
V.-Adni. IHGll; Adin. 1875: died 1883.
522 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
showed, in his Chinese service, the importance of a thorough
scientific training as marine surveyor, for at least a proportion
of officers in every fleet, in time of war. Henry Kellett ' was
another example. Receiving his training under Owen and Skyring,
he was with the latter officer when he was killed on the coast
of Africa. CoUinson was engaged for three years, in the Plover
and Young Hebe, in the survey of the China coasts, from Chusan to
Hong Kong, including Formosa ; and Kellett was equally indefati-
gable in the Starling. Science was then, as unfortunately it is now,
despised and depreciated by ignorance in high places ; but when the
war broke out in China, scientific officers were found to be indis-
pensable in the persons of Collinson and Kellett. It was then that
Sir William Parker (2) turned, for the success of his operations, to
the scientific surveyors. Collinson was appointed Surveyor to the
Fleet, and it was Kellett who led the flagship up the Yangtsze Kiang
to Nankin.
Sir Edward Belcher^ was a trained surveyor : but an officer who
made " a hell afloat " of every ship he ever commanded cannot be
regarded as a valuable acquisition to the service. Belcher was with
Beechey in the Blossom, and he afterwards completed some of
Owen's work on the coast of Africa, on board the ^t>ia. He com-
manded the Sulphur in China during the first war, and from 1842
to 1847 he conducted important surveys in the Samarang on the
coast of Borneo and in the Eastern Archipelago, as well as on the
coast of Corea, and the Majico-Sima Islands. Belcher was severely
wounded in repulsing an attack by Malay pirates, in the Strait of
Gilolo. At the same time, Captain Francis Price Blackwood,^ in
the Fhj, was at work on the Great Barrier Eeef, with the Bramble
as a tender. This arduous service comprised the examination of
dangerous reefs for a length of a thousand miles, as well as the coral
reefs in Torres Strait, and one hundred and forty miles of the coast of
New Guinea. Blackwood, in 1844, erected on Eaine Island a beacon,
seventy feet high and thirty in diameter, as a guide for vessels
passing the barrier chain. Charles Frederick Alexander Shadwell,*
Blackwood's first Lieutenant in the Fbj, was an officer whose high
• Henry Kellett, bora 1806 ; Com. 1841 ; Capt. 1842.
2 Sir Edward Belcher, born 17911 ; Com. 1829 ; Capt. 1841 ; R.-Adm. 1861 ; retd.
v.-adm. 1866; died a retd. adm. 1877.— W. L. C.
^ Francis Price Blackwood, born 1809 ; Com. 1830 ; Capt. 1838 ; died 1854.
— W. L. C.
* Shadwell died an Adm. in 1886, aH. 72.— W. L. C.
1829-55.] SIR FBANCIS BEAUFORT. 523
scientific attainments and pre-eminence as a navigator and observer
were graced by amiable qualities which won the affection of all who
served under him.
Owen Stanley ^ carried forward the splendid work of Blackwood
and Shadwell. Ccmimenciiig his sui'veying career with King in the
Adventure, he was in the Terror with Back during her terrible
experiences in Hudson's Bay. Afterwards, under Graves in the
Mastiff, he conducted a survey up the Gulf of Lepanto in an open
boat, which he hauled across the isthmus of Corinth, regaining his
ship in Voula ^&y. When in command of the Britomart, he
founded the colony of Port Essington, and, in the Battlesnake, he
continued the surveys of New Guinea, and Torres Strait. Owen
Stanley died in the midst of his work in 1850; and his grave at
Sydney is near that of another devoted officer, the late Commodore
James Graham Goodenough,- whose funeral sennon was preached
by Owen Stanley's brother, the late Dean of Westminster. In
recording the deeds of Blackwood, and Stanley, the less known but
equally meritorious labours of Charles Bamfield Yule ^ must not be
forgotten. Trained by Bullock on the Enghsh coast, and by Skyring
and Vidal in the Aitna, Yule subsequently commanded the tender
Bramble, under Blackwood, from 1842 to 1815, and afterwards
under Owen Stanley. He beat up against the south-east trade from
Cape York to Sydney, and went through most arduous service during
many years, but survived it all to find a more comfortable post in
the hydrographic department at home.
It naturally happened that some of the naval surveyors devoted
themselves more especially to the attractive study of nautical
astronomy. Thus Henry lia))('r (•!},* who received his first training
in the AdDcutiirc, under Mediterranean Smyth, published in 1848 the
best existing work on the practice of navigation ; and, in a later
generation, the studies of Sir ('. F. A. Shadwell resulted in the useful
tables which bear his name.
The great work which was done by the Navy lor the benelit of
navigation needed the fostering care and the firm support of an
intluciitial (il'ticial at the Admiralty. Such a man was Francis
I Owen Stanley, born 1811; Com. 1839; Capt. 18-14; .lied 1850.— W. L. C.
* Goodcnougli, when Coniniod. on the Austialian station in the Pearl, died Aug. L'O,
1875, of wounds received at the liands of some Polynesian islanders. — W. L. C.
" A Com. of 1851.— W. L. C.
■* A Lieut, of 1823. He was for years Secretary to the Hoyal Astronomical
Society.— W. L. C.
524 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1810-1856.
Beaufort (1)/ who held the post of Hydrographer from 1829 to 1855.
His difficulties in contending against and overcoming the obstruction
of " their Lordships " were very great. He had a long and hard
fight with dulness and ignorance. " The natural tendency of men,"
he philosophically remarked, "is to undervalue what they do not
i;nderstand." But his firmness and never-failing tact overcame all
obstacles. To him alone is due the credit of organising those in-
valuable surveys in all parts of the world that were executed in his
time. A member of the Council of the Eoyal Geographical Society
himself, he actively supported all the representations of that body,
which were successful in the cases of Back's voyage to Hudson's
Bay, and Wickham's Australian survey. Beaufort's industry was
marvellous. Having already worked for three hours at home,
he began office work at 9 .A..M., and continued at it for eight hours.
Between 1837 and 1847, he raised the expenditure in his department
from £68,517 to £123,678, which is a measure of the corresponding
increase in activity and in the output of valuable work.
The sm'veys of the Eed Sea, south-east coast of Arabia, the
Persian Gulf, and the coasts of India and Burma were executed by
the officers of the Indian Navy.
In 1838 the time had come for the renewal of polar research, and,
with Beaufort and Barrow at the .\dmiralty, its cause could be sure
of influential advocacy. The British Association represented the
urgency of a magnetic survey of the southern ocean, and it was
resolved to despatch an Antarctic expedition under the command of
Captain James Clark Ross. The experience of that officer as a
magnetic observer was second only to that of Sabine, while he was
easily first as an ice navigator. His second in command was Com-
mander Francis .Bawdon Moira Crozier,- who had served in all
Parry's voyages except the first. Among the officers were Edward
Joseph Bird,^ who also had served under Parry. Archibald McMurdo,*
who had been with Back in the Terror, Dr. Eobert McCormick, E.N.,
who had been with Parry in his polar voyage of 1827, Dr. David
Lyall, E.N., and the future illustrious botanist, Joseph Dalton
I Sir Francis Beaufort (1), born 177-1; Com. 1800; Capt. 1810; retd. r.-adni.
1846; died 1857. He was an F.R.S. of 1814, and a K.C.B. (civil) of 1848.—
W. L. C.
^ Francis Eawdon Moira Crozier, Lieut. 1826 ; Com. 1837 ; Capt. 1841 ; died 1854.
— W. L. C.
5 Became a Eear-.\diii. 1863; retired 1869; died 1881.— W. L. C.
* Promoted Commander, 1843. — W. L. C.
1839-43.] JAMES VI.AliK ROSS IN THE ASTAitVTW. 525
Hooker,' who then commenced his great life-work for the advance-
ment of science. Two strongly-l)iiilt dIcI bomb vessels, the Erebus
and Terror, were selected for the service.
Two subordinate naval officers, John liiscoe (1830-32), and
Weddell (1823), had already made some important Antarctic dis-
HKAH-AliMIItAI. Silt .lAMKS ('I.AltK UOSIS, KT., ll.l'.l,., IMLS.
(Fnun the jiidnrc hit Stiphin Pi-tircc.)
[By pprmis-iion or the Lords of the Admiralty.]
coveries, while commanding vessels owned l)y Messrs. Enderby.
Biscoe had discovered Enderby's Land and Graham's Land to
the south of the South Shetlands, and Weddell hud ]icnetrated
as far south as 74' 1-5' without being stopped by the ice.
Eoss boldly ])ushed his ships into the formidable polar pack, a
feat which had never before been attempted by any navigator.
Captain Cof)l< luul considered it to be impenetrable. The foreign
' Sir J. D. Hooker, born 1817; Surgeon R. N., 1839; retired 1870; K.C.S.l. 1869;
Pros, of n<iy. Soc, 1873-78 : G.C.S.l. iKilT. W. I,. C.
526 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1810-1850.
expeditions under Dumont d'Urville, and Wilkes did not venture to
do more than look at the pack. But Koss and Crozier put the bhiff
bows of the old Erebus and Terror straight on to the jammed-up ice
on January 5th, 1841. They received some very heavy blows, but
they forced their way in, and Ross's splendid aiidacity was rewarded.
In six days he reached open water, and discovered land with a
great range of mountains extending for 4.50 miles to the south-
ward, which received the name of Victoria Land. On the ^Sth
of January, an active volcano, 12,400 feet in height, emitting flame
and smoke in great profusion, was sighted, and named Mount
Erebus. Extending from the neighbourhood of this volcano for
a distance of several hundreds of miles, Ross discovered a range
of perpendicular ice cliffs rising to a height of 200 feet, and
forming a stupendous barrier, the great source of supply for the
icebergs which encumber the southern ocean. In 1842 the daring
explorer again took the pack, and had a much more terrible ex-
perience. The wind freshened to a \'iolent gale on January 19th,
when both ships were suiTounded. The rudder of the Erebus was
so damaged as to be no longer of any use, and that of the Terror was
completely destroyed, and nearly torn away from the stern post.
Ross said that " throughout a period of twenty-eight hours, during
any one of which there appeared to be very little hope that they
would live to see another, the coolness, steady obedience, and un-
tiring exertions of each individual were every way worthy of British
seamen." But Ross was not to be beaten. He forced his way
through this terrible pack, and once more reached and examined the
marvellous ice barrier. In 1843 he surveyed the South Shetlands ;
but his third attempt to force his way through the pack in March
did not succeed because it was made too late in the year. After
three seasons in the Antarctic ice, facing and overcoming dangers
and difficulties which had daunted all his predecessors, Ross brought
his ships safely home in 1843,' laden with a rich harvest of valuable
scientific results." This was a service of which the Navy ma}' well
be proud. It was a glorious peace victory.
The return of Ross, with two strong ships well adapted for ice
navigation, suggested to Sir John Barrow that another voyage
might be undertaken with the object of solving the geographical
problem of the North-West Passage. He was warmly seconded by
' He was knighted soon after his arrival. — W. L. C.
' See ' A Voyage of Discovery in the Soutliern and Antarctic Seas," 1847. — W. L. C.
1845.] FRANKLIirS LAST VOYAGE. 527
Sir Francis Beaufort, and the Erebus and Terror were re-commis-
sioned. Commander James Fitzjames/ who had returned from the
East Indian station in the Clio, should have commanded the expedi-
tion, and this was the original intention. But Sir John Franklin
put in a claim, and it was considered that, if he insisted, it could
not be overlooked. He was in his sixtieth year, and was much too
old- Moreover, his experience of ice navigation was confined to a
summer cruise more than a quarter of a century before. When a
young man he had won his laurels by his two land journeys.
Captain Crozier, who was to command the Terror again, though a
man of great Arctic experience, was also too old. Fitzjames, the
brilliant commander of the Erebus, should have been the leader of
the expedition. Seldom, nevertheless, has a more able and zealous
set of officers started on a perilous service than those who sailed in
the Erebus and Terror. The flower of the Navy volunteered, among
them the most promising young officers on board the Excelleii t ; and
the pick of these was chosen. There were Lieutenants Graham Gore,
who had been with Back in the Terror, James Walter Fairholme, of
the Niger expedition, Henry Thomas Dundas Le Vescomte, specially
selected by Sir Francis Beaufort, and George Henry Hodgson, direct
from the Excellent, and Mates Charles Frederick Des Voeux,- Kobert
Orme Sargent,^ Frederick John Hornby,^ and Kobert Thomas.^
The expedition sailed from England in May, 1845, all its members
full of bright hopes and ardent enthusiasm. Everything appeared
prosperous, and seemed to point to success, as the two vessels
easily passed the ordinary obstructions of Baffin's Bay, and entered
Barrow's Strait. Franklin's instructions were to make his way to
Bering Strait by working to the south and west, but he was given
the alternative of trying Wellington Chaimel. Without doubt,
Franklin's matured judgment was to follow the first part of his
instructions, and make for the coast of .\mc^rica. But we know that
the expedition proceeded up Wellington Channel, probably tempted
by the absence of ice within sight. Stopped by the impenetrable
polar pack in IT, as Parry had been stopped to the west of Melville
Island, Franklin resolved to return. He took his ships down a
channel, never since explored, between Bathurst and Cornwallis
Islands, and brought them back to safe winter quarters at Beechey
Island, on the western side of the entrance of Wellington Cliiuinel.
' Com. 1842; Capt. l•^4^>; died 18r)4.— W. L. C.
2 T.iciitB. 1816. » I-icut. 1847.
528 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1810-1^50.
This was the most remarkable voyage that has ever been made
in those ice-encumbered straits and channels.
Franklin must then have resolved fully to act in accordance with
his own matm-ed views, and push southwards to the coast of
America in the season of 1846. He knew that coast, and that there
CAPTAIS SIR JOHX FKANKI.IX, KT., D.C.L., F.E.S.
(From the tcater-i'ulour by William Derby.)
[By permission of the Lords of the Admiralty.]
were leads of open water along it. Accordingly the Erebus and
Terror went down what is now called Peel Sound, between North
Somerset and Prince of Wales' Islands, sighted the coast of King
Wilham Land, discovered by James Clark Boss, and attempted to
proceed along its west coast to the shores of the continent. But
there again they were met by that impenetrable polar pack which
sweeps down Melville Sound and impinges on the west coast of
King Wilham Land. Franklin was obhged to winter in the pack.
If he had attempted to pass down the eas^ ern instead of the western
1847-48.] FATE OF FllANKLlN'S EXPEDITION. 529
shore, it is cjuite possible that he might have succeeded. ]^ut it was
not then known that King WiUiam Land was an island. It was
conceived to be, and was shown on the map as, a peninsula extending
west from Boothia. Up to that time Franklin had conducted the
enterprise with great ability and sound judgment, in accordance'
with existing knowledge. He had very nearly reached the American
coast, and he expected to reach it in the ensuing season of 1847.
When the sun returned, Graham Gore ' and Des Vocux made a
sledge journey down the west coast of King William Land, reached
Cape Herschel, and thus completed the discovery of a North-West
Passage, for Cape Herschel had been reached by Simpson from the
west. With this knowledge the veteran explorer went to his rest.
Sir John Franklin died on June 11th, 1847. As the season advanced
it was found that, short though the distance was to the American
coast, the polar pack remained impenetrable. Crozier had taken
command of the expedition, and Fitzjames succeeded as Captain of
the Erebus. It became evident that they must face the horrors of a
third winter, with insufdcient and unwholesome food. For there can
be no doubt that the preserved meats supplied bj' the Admiralty,
through a rascally contractor named Goldner, were bad, and unfit
for human consumption. The consequence was that scurvy broke
out. There were many deaths both among officers and men, and the
spring of 1848 found the sm-vivors weak, debilitated, and consequently
despondent. Provisions were nearly at an end. A retreat became
necessary, but it was a forlorn hope. Crozier and Fitzjames did all
that was possible. They resolved to make an attempt to reach help
by ascending the Back or Great Fish Kiver. Boats and sledges
were prepared with great care, and stored with such provisions as
remained ; and in April, 1848, the doomed heroes landed near Cape
Victory. A record, left in a cairn by Graham Gore in the previous
year, was accidentally found. Some ink was thawed, and a brief note
of what had happened was written round it by Fitzjames, and signed
by the two Captains. The record was then replaced. Dragging two
heavy boats on sledges, the party resumed its hopeless journey.
Debilitated by illness, and nnicli weaker than had been supposed
when they left the ships, the men fell down to die as they walked
along. Only a very few reached Montreal Island, at the mouth of
the Great Fish Kiver ; and near that spot the last survivor suc-
cumbed, probably before the auiiuun of 1848 set in. T>ravcly and
' (irahiiiii (iore hail been imuiu Com. on Nov. (ill), 1841). — W. L. C.
VOL. VI. '2 M
530 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
resolutely had those gallant sailors stuck to their duty, and died
at their posts. Their end, though unspeakahly sad and pathetic,
was glorious. They died to uphold the honour and prestige of their
country. Yet the loss of the FrankHn expedition was one of the
greatest calamities that ever befell the British Navy.
In the same year that Franklin sailed from England, Captain
Henry Kellett commissioned the Herald, with the brigantine
Pandora as a tender, and proceeded to the Pacific to continue the
■survey of the west coast of South America from Guayaquil to
Panama. Having completed this work, the Herald, accompanied
by the Plover, went up Bering Strait with the idea of meeting the
Franklin expedition ; and Kellett discovered the island reported by
Baron ^Yrangel as being off the coast of Western Siberia, and
since known as Wrangel Land. During the same period, 1842-46,
Bartholomew James Sulivan,' in the Philomel, sm-veyed the south-
east coast of South America, and completed the surveys of the
Falkland Islands.
No anxiety was felt for Franklin's expedition after the second
winter in 1847, except by one person. Dr. King, who had accom-
panied Back in his descent of the Great Fish Eiver, made an urgent
appeal to the Governmient to send supplies and relief by that route
to Montreal Island. He represented that Franklin's intention was
to reach the American coast, that a retreat, if it became necessary,
must be to the Great Fish Eiver, and that the provisions would be
exhausted in 1848, when it would be too late. Dr. King's repre-
sentations were unheeded. At length, in 1848, when it was too late,
a rehef expedition was tardily fitted out, consisting of two vessels,
the Enterprise, commanded by Sir James Clark Eoss, and the
Investigator, by Captain Edward Joseph Bird. If Dr. King's urgent
appeal had been listened to in 1847 many of his gallant countrvanen
might have been saved. In 1848 the time was past. Eoss had
with him two officers who were destined to win laurels by future
Arctic achievement, Eobert John Le Mesurier McClure, and Francis
Leopold M'Clintock. The season of 1848 was very unfavourable,
and the expedition could only get as far as Port Leopold, near the
north-east point of North Somerset. At that time the last survivors
of Franklin's expedition were perishing near Montreal Island. In
the spring of 1849, Eoss, accompanied by M'CHntock, made a
' Bartholomew James Sulivan, born 1810; Lieut. 1830; Com. 1841; Capt. 1845;
died an Adm. and K.C.B. 1890.— W. L. C.
1849-54.] THE SEARCH FOR FRANKLIN. 531
sledge joui'ney along the uorthern coast of North Somerset, and for
some distance down its western side in the right direction for
ascertaining Franklin's fate. Another party visited Fm-y Beach.
Nothing more was done, and the expedition retm-ned. The Nurfh
Star, with additional supplies for it, had been sent out in 184'.),
under the command of Master James Saimders, who had served
with Back in the Terror. The ice prevented him from crossing
Baffin's Bay, and the North Star wintered in Wolstenholme
Sound on the Greenland coast. In the spring of 1850, Saunders
lauded a depot on the south side of Barrow's Strait, and returned
home.
The nation was at length thoroughly aroused. The return of
Ross without any result excited the greatest anxiety, and the
Admiralty was loudly called upon for vigorous action. But it was
three years too late. However, the Enterprise and Investigator were
recommissioned to make a search by way of Bering Strait ; while
the Plover was ordered to winter near Cape Barrow as a depot ship.
Captain Richard CoUinson, so well known for his surveying services
iu the China seas, received command of the Enterprise, while to
McClure, Ross's first Lieutenant in the former voyage, was entrusted
the Investigator. The two exploring ships were separated in passing
up the Pacific. The Enterprise was too late in the season, and went
back to winter at Hong Kong. The Investigator pushed onwards
along the west coast of Banks Land, a name given by Pan-y when
he sighted from Melville Island the hills behind its northern coast.
The mighty polar pack which Parry had seen was pressing against
the land. There was along the shore a narrow channel, due to the
immense thickness of the ice, which grounded before it could be
pressed upon the beach. Through this McClure forced his ship,
sometimes with his yard-arms scraping against the cliffs, and running
the gauntlet of many dangers. At length he succeeded in rounding
the north end of Banks Island, and in reaching a haven which he
appropriately named the Bay of God's Mercy. There was no
possii)ility of extrication, for the mighty polar pack was between
biin and the comparative safety of the Melville Island coast. Three
dreary winters, 1850-.54, were passed by the much-enduring crew of
the Investigator. McClure made a sledge journey across the heavy
ice to Melville Island, and left a notice of his position. When the
provisions were nearly consumed he resolved to make a desperate
attempt to reach the .\iiiericaii coast \\ith the strongest among his
2 M 2
532 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-]85G.
crew. He was about to start on this forlorn hope, almost as hope-
less as that attempted by Crozier and Fitzjames, when succour
came from an unexpected quarter.
The Enterprise entered upon ice navigation a year after the
Investigator, passing Bering Strait in 1851. Collinson attempted to
work up the eastern side of Banks Island, and wintered in a narrow
strait, whence one of his officers, Lieutenant Murray Thomas Parks,
made a sledge journey to Melville Island. In the season of 1852 he
returned to the American coast, and made a very remarkable voyage
eastward. From his second winter quarters he might easily have
made a sledge journey to Cape Victory, if he had known how much
was involved in reaching that point. The season of 1853 saw
CoUinson making a similar voyage westward, wintering within easy
reach of Cape Barrow ; and in 1854 the Enterprise returned home.
These voyages along the northern shores of America prove the
correctness of Franklin's forecast respecting the success of his
enterprise if he could succeed in reaching that coast.
As soon as the Enterprise and Investigator had sailed from
England, active preparations were made for resuming the search by
way of Baffin's Bay. Granting the necessity, felt by the Admiralty,
that none but old officers, past the time for active personal exer-
tion, should command these expeditions, no better selection could
have been made than that of Captain Horatio Thonias Austin. He
had served with Parry in his third voyage, was with Henry Foster
in the Chanticleer ; and, when the use of steam was introduced into
the Navy, was foremost in adapting himself to the new order of
things, and in 1832 commanded the Salamander, one of the first
steamers. He had Captain Erasmus Ommanney as his second in
command ; and two vessels, of a little over 400 tons each, were
purchased, strengthened for ice navigation, and named the Resolute
and the Assistance. It w^as under Austin that steam power was first
introduced into ice navigation. Two sharp-bowed screw steamers
were provided as tenders, to tow the heavy sailing barques when
necessary, and named the Pioneer and fhe Intrepid. The former was
commanded by Lieutenant Sherard Osborn, the latter by Lieutenant
John Bertie Cator. The Admiralty also thought fit to send out,
independent of the naval expedition, two brigs in command of a
whaling master named Penny.
After a long detention by the ice in Melville Bay, Austin's
expedition reached Barrow Strait, but found it impossible to get
1850-51.] AUSTIN'S EXPEDITION. ' 533
within 300 miles of Melville IslaiRl. It wintered between Corn-
walHs and Griffith Islands. Penny's brigs wintered in Assistance
Harbour, near the entrance of Wellington Channel. Franklin's
winter quarters at Beechey Island were discovered ; but a minute
and persistent search for any record, or any clue to the intentions of
the leader of the expedition, entirely failed.
It was in these circumstances that Austin was left to institute
the most complete search that was possible with the means at his
disposal. He proved himself equal to the task in every respect
except the bodily activity of youth. For the first time he inaugu-
rated autumn sledge-travelling for laying out depots. His next
duty was to provide for the winter, and to bring his people through
it in the same health and spirits as when they left England, ready
for the arduous duties of the spring. Austin had all the traditions
of Parry, and he was himself gifted with a remarkable talent for
organisation. He was heartily seconded by the executives, and by
an exceptionally able medical staff. He himself was genial and
sympathetic, and the winter of 18.50-51 was the happiest ever
passed in the Arctic regions, the officers and men being kept in
perfect health. It was a period of preparation during which Captain
Austin, with the assistance of his officers, organised a scheme of
sledge-travelling such as had never been contemplated by any
previous expedition. He was indeed well supported. Captain
Ommanney did all in his power, and was ready to lead an extended
party. M'Cfintock, his first Lieutenant, was himself endowed witli
rare gifts of perseverance, resolution, and intrepidity, as well as with
great talent for the organisation of detaili. Lieutenant George
Frederick Mecham was second only to M'Clintock ; Sherard Osborn,
though not equal [)hysicaliy to M'Clintock and Mecham, was a host
in himself, imparting his enthusiasm to others, and aiding by his
great ability and quick intelligence. Two young Mates, liichard
Vesey Hamilton, and Walter William May, showed great promise,
to bear fruit in liiture years. But all were equally zealous, all did
their best, as naval officers generally do.
Austin had absolutely no clue except Franklin's instructions.
Moreover, he was hampered by an order from the Admiralty to
examine Melville Island, the one place where it was (juitc certain
that Franklin had not been. Austin resolved to search in every
direction except Wellington Channel, which he left to i'enny. The
extended parties were to be enabled to increase the distance searched
534 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1816-1856.
by the help of hmited and auxihaiy parties ; and thus nearly every
soul in the expedition was employed in sledge-travelling during the
spring and summer. To M'Chntock was entrusted the feat of
reaching and examining Melville Island, which he performed suc-
cessfully. It was a feat then quite unequalled in Arctic annals, and
since only excelled by himself and Mecham. The coasts of Bathurst
Island were also examined. Cape Walker had been specially men-
tioned in Franklin's instructions, and three extended parties were
sent in that direction under Ommanney, and Lieutenants Sherard
Osborn, and "William Henry James Browne; while Mecham examined
Cape Walker itself, and discovered Eussell Island. The extended
parties discovered Prince of Wales Island, and carefully searched
its eastern and western coasts. Sherard Osborn reached the edge of
the same heavj^ polar pack which had stopped the Erebus and Terror
on the coast of King William Land.
Thus was Austin's work thoroughly and completely done from
his position off Griffith Island. Parties had gone in everj' direc-
tion, pressing onwards with a resolution and endurance above all
praise. Penny had searched Wellington Channel, and made it
certain that the missing expedition was not to be found in that
direction. Only one thing remained to be done, which was for the
Admiralty to take Dr. King's advice, and cause King William Land
and Montreal Island to be searched. There in fact, as M'Clintock
afterwards discovered, the Frankhn expedition was actually lost.
But the authorities declined to do so. The positions were too
distant to be reached by Austin's parties, though one of them went
as far as was possible in the right direction.
Austin's expedition returned in the autumn of 1851. He had
done his work well. He had preserved his people in perfect health
and spirits. His was certainly the happiest, and, on the whole, the
best organised expedition that ever went to the Arctic regions. He
introduced a new and most effective sj'stem of ice exploration, while
his arrangements for vidnter quarters have never been surpassed.
Austin left nothing more to be done in the direction of Barrow's
Strait, so far as the Franklin search was concerned. The Admiralt}'
thought otherwise, and was wrong. In spite of his excellent service,
and the altogether unequalled character of the work done by his
expedition, he was coldly received, and harassed by an unnecessary
committee of inquiry. The Admiralty recommissioned the tour
ships, the Assistance and Pioneer to go up Wellington Channel, and
1852-53.] BESCUE OF M'CLVRE. 535
the Resolute and Intrepid to Melville Island, while the North Star was
to be stationed at Beechey Island as a depot ship. There was some
sense in the ^Melville Island route this time, because nothing had
been heard of the Enterprise and Investigator, and one or both
might be in need of succour. This arrangement did not, how-
ever, originate with the Admiralty. It was the suggestion of
Mr. Creswell, father of one of the officers of the Inrestiyator.
But the expedition tip Wellington Channel was entirely useless
and unnecessary, except as regards geographical exploration.
To command this expedition the Admiralty selected Sir Edward
Belcher, who was too old for the work, and most unfit in every
other respect. If it had searched the whole Navy, it could not
have made a worse selection. This was notorious. The Intrepid
was commanded by M'Clintock, the Pioneer by Sherard Osborn.
Captain Henry Kellett, of the liesolute, had done admirable service
in his day, but his day was past. He was a most amiable officer,
and had the good sense to leave everything to the men who had to
do the work — M'Clintock, Mecham, Vesey Hamilton, George Strong
Nares, Richard Roche, Frederick J. Krabbe, and George Frederick
M'Dougall. But Belcher was a serious nuisance. He treated
Sherard Osborn shamefully, and eventually superseded him in his
command. M'Clintock and Sherard Osborn ought, of course, to
have commanded the two branches of the expedition. George
Henry Richards was Commander in the Assistance, and, besides
Sherard Osborn, May, John Hillary Allard, and other officers who
had been trained by Austin, were in tlii' "Wellington Channel
division.
The Assistance and Pianvcr went up Wellington Channel as far
as 77° N., wintering in Northumberland Inlet.
The liesolute and Intrepid were able, in the season of 1H.'J'2, to
get as far to the westward as Melville Island, and good winter
quarters were found off Dealy Isle. In the autumn travelling,
Mecham discovered the record left by McCluii', and was thus the
means of saving the officei's and crew of the Invcsli(/(it(ir. The
position of that ship being thus made known, it was a simple matter
to send over a party to communicate in the following spring. The
Investigator was abandoned, McClure and his people going across
to the Resolute. McClure thus discovered a North-West Passage,
for he and his I)tocstigat()rs were the only men who ever passed
from ocean to ocean by the nnith.
536 rOYAGi:S ASD discoveries, 1816-1856.
The spring travelling of 1853, based on the system inaugurated
by Austin, was the most extensive on record, and has never been
equalled since. M'Cliutoek discovered Prince Patrick Island,
travelling over 1328 miles in 105 days. Mecham went over 1163
miles in 91 days. Vesey Hamilton penetrated to the northern
extremity of Melville Island. Nares explored Eghnton Island. From
the Assistance, Eichards, Sherard Osborn, and May examined the
't^^y'
>^ t^>^r~/'
ADMIRAI, SIR EICH.\ED VliSEY HAMILTOS, G.C.B.
whole northern coast of Bathurst Island ; and Eichards opened
communication with the Besolute.
In the season of 1853, the Assistance returned down Wellington
Channel for some distance, but was stopped by the ice, and had to
pass a second winter. The Besolute, leaving Dealy Island, was also
stopped, and forced to winter in the pack. In 1854, Mecham made
the most remarkable Arctic journey on record to Collinson's first
winter quarters. Dming seventy daj's he travelled over heavy ice at
the rate of 16 miles a day on the outward journey, and of 20 miles a
day on the homeward journey, and covered 1336 miles of gromid.
This has never since been beaten, nor even approached. The
travelling parties led by these naval officers had no dogs.
In 1854, Belcher actually resolved to abandon all the four vessels,
without waiting to see whether they could be exti-icated from the
ice, and to return to England in the North Star. Kellett very
properly refused to abandon the Besolute and Intrepid without a
written order, which he received. All the people were to be crowded
on board the North Star, but just as she was about to sail, Captain
Edward Augustus Ingletield arrived with the Phoenix and Talbot.
At the close of the consequent coiu-t-martial, Kellett was com-
plimented. Belcher's sword was returned to him indeed, but in
silence — a just rebuke.
The uneqiialled sledge-travelling of 1853 and 1854 was the out-
come of Austin's admirable initiative in 1851, and was performed,
with one exception, by his officers. The names of nearly all Austin's
officers were afterwards honourably known in the service.
1854.] HE SUITS OF THE FRANKLIN SEARCHES. 537
A glance at the map ^ will sliow tlio amount of discovery made by
naval officers serving in the Franklin searches, and the extraordinary
intricacy of the channels, straits and inlets which give shape to the
great archipelago of islands to the north of the American continent.
But only those who have experienced such service can realise the
amount of endurance, suffering, and hnrdship it entails. There is
no better nursery to bring out the best and noblest traits in the;
character of a British seaman.
When the Arctic explorers returned in 1854, the Crimean Wai-
was imminent. As in the China War, immediate need was felt for
scientific surveyors, and the Arctic officers were to the fore in the
Baltic, in the Black Sea, and especially in the Sea of Azof. Captain
Bartholomew James Sulivan, in the Lightning, with Frederick J. 0.
Evans in the Merlin, was at the head of the pilot and surveying
services in the Baltic. An equally distinguished officer did yeoman's
service in the Black Sea. Thomas Abel Bremage Spratt had
worked at the surveys in the Mediterranean from 1832, five years
after he entered the service, until 1863. He had served under
Graves in the Mcmtiff and Beacon ; he had commanded the Volage
in 1847 and 1848 ; and afterwards he had succeeded Graves in the
Spitfire. He was chiefly employed on the coasts of Asia Minor and
the islands, and his interesting w'ork on Crete is well known.
During the Crimean War, Spratt did splendid serace in the Spitfire.
" He was the mainspring of all the operations w'hilst Lord Lyons
held the key."
' See sketch map on ji. 50'J.
h
P L cA^Jb/ \ Ck
SlU WII.I.IAM JAMKS I.I.OYl) WIIAIITOX, K.C.B., F.ll.S.,
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(,Ui/tlrograi'licr, 1801.)
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INDEX
VOLUME VI.
Abbas Pasha, 311 n.
Abbot, Com. the Hon. Charles, 504
Abdella Tribe, 277
Abdul Medjid, Sultan, 309
Aberdeen Act, 3ti2 n?
Aberdeen, Earl of, 184 n., 342
Abemethy, Quartermaster, 515
Abo, 425
Abraham Holm (rock), 493-495
Acasta, 172
Accountant-Geueral of the Nav^', 186 and
n.', 189
Accra, 305
Acheron, 521
Achraet Pasha, Admiral, 437, 443
Acorn, 306, 505
A'Court, K.-Ad. Edward Henry (E. H.
A'Court Hejiington), 540
Acre, 310, 3If<, 320, 321; medal for bom-
bardment of, 214
Actions, Principal (see aho Piracy and
Slavers) : —
Aden, Capture of, 277-279
Alert and Ensfx, 31, 32
Algier, Bombardment of, 226-229
Alma, 432
Auunghoy, 287, 289
Argus and Pelican, 87, 88
Asp and Contest, 96
Avalaka ]5ay, 430
Avon and Wasp, 164-166
Belvidera and President, 30, 31
Bladcnsburg, 144-146
Boraarsund, Capture of, 423-12C
Borgnc, Lake, 149, 150
Boxer and Enterprise, 89-91
Canton Kiver, 273
Cape Coast Castle, 237
Carolina, Destruction of, 277
Cartageuan llotilla, Capture of, 307
Champlain, Lake, 132-111
Chesapeake and Leopard, 18, 19 ; and
Shannon, 78-86
Actions, Principal — continued.
Constellation and Diadem, 93
Constitution, Chase of the, 33; and
Guerriire, 34-37, 62 ; and Java,
48-53, 62; and Cyane, 170; and
Levant, 171
Contest and Asp, 96
Cyane and Constitution, 170
Diadem and Constellation, 93
D'jebel (Gebail) and Tortosa, At, 314,
315
Dolphin, 98 and n.*
Endymion anA President, 167, 168
Enterprise and Boxer, 89-91
Epervier and Peacock, 159-161
Erie, Lake, 1812, 119; 1813, 122-
127 ; 1814, 128-130
Esmeralda, Capture o'', 263-265
Essex and Alert, 31, 32
Frolic and Wasp, 38-41
General Armstrong, 155-157
Guerriere and Constitution, 34-37,
02
Hornet and Peiicock, 53-56 ; and Pen-
guin, 173-175
Java and Constitution, 48-53, 62
Kemmendiiie, Attack on, 2-13, 244
Kiiiburn, Capture of, 471—173
Kolangsod, 294, 295
Leopard and Chesapeake, 18, 19
Levant and Constitution, 171
Lijfey in ItangodU liivcr, 238
L'illle Belt and President, 22
Macao Passage, 291, 292
Macedonian and United States, 41—16,
02
Maluda Bay, 330, 331
A'uiad and Tripoli, 236
Navarin, 253-261
Ninppo Hiver, 290
t)l)ligado, ;!39-3-)3
(>dessa. lionibardmcnt of, 400, 101
Ontario, Lake, H3-115
552
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Actions, Principal — continued.
Feacock and Hornet, 53-56 ; and Eper-
vier, 159-161
Pelican and Aryus, 87, 88
Femjuin and Hornet, 173-175
Fresident and Little Belt, 22 ; and
Beloidera, 30, 31 ; and Eiidymion,
167, 168
Prince de Neufchdtel, 157
Rattler at Naniquan, 385
Beindeer and Waxji, 161-163
St. Jean d'Acre, 319-321
Sebastoijol, Bombardment of, 4-10-445
Shannon and Chesax>eake, 78-86
Sweaborg, 493-498
Topaze oft' Mocha, 233
Tripoli and Naiad, 236
Tycocktow, Bombardment of, 285
United States and Macedonian, 41-46,
62
Viborg, 487
Wasp and Frolic, 38-41 : and Battler,
161-163; and Avon, 164-166
White Sea operations, 428
Woosung, Capture of, 299
Zaragozana, Capture of, 235
Adalbert, Admiral Prince (Pr.), 391
Adam, Admiral Sir Charles, 197, 225,
540
Adams, Com. .John, 306
Adams, 25, 117, US, 148
Adelaide, 505
Aden, Acquisition of, 277-279
Adjalieli Lake, 405
Aduuralty, The :
Arctic expilorations, attitude towards,
518, 520, 532, 534, 535
Reform of, 189
Strained relations of, with Commander-
in-Chief, 415
Weakness of, 426
Adonis, 166
Adrianople, 399
Adrianople, Treaty of, 308
Adriatic, Survey of, 182
Adventure, 199 n.', 519, 523
.Mollis, 31 n.*, 32, 478 and n.'
^fna, 147 n.', 148 n.', 198, 520
Afghanistan, 279
Africa, Surveys and discoveries in, 518-
519
Africa (North), Piracy in, 390, 391 ; Soudan,
519. See also Algier
Africa (West Coast), 237, 269, 276, 363-365,
367. See cdso Sierra Leone.
Africa, 30 and n.', 31 n.*, 32
Agamemnon, 198-200, 398 n., 402, 409,
434 n.=, 440, 442, 443, 448, 453 n.*,
472 n.
Age of officers, 205
Agincourt, 330, 332, 333
Agnew, Cora. John de Courcv Andrew,
425
' Agysoo, 402
Aid, 519
Aigle, 447 n.
Airey, Genl. Sir Pachard, 473-474
Ajax, 198, 413, 419, 422 n.^, 424, 478
Akhar, 171 n.*
Akitoye, 368, 369, 371
Akouktoung, 378, 380 and n.^
Aku, 354
Al Khoyamicli Ba}', 361
Alacrity, 251
Aland Islands, 414, 419, 422
Alarm, 349
Alarme, 462
Albacore, 199 and n.", 200
Allan, 419, 422, 425
Albanians, 314
1 Albatross, 362, 440
I Albert, H.R.H. Prince, 427
Albert, 519 n.^
Albion, 145 n., 217 n., 218, 227, 228, 230,
254-258, 260, 409, 435, 440, 443, 444
and n.''
! Alceste, 149 u.', 231, 232, 475 n.^ 504
Alcyone, 256
j Aldham, Purser George, 82
! Alecto, 197-198, 343,''344
Alert, 32 and n.', 231, 365, 367, 393
Alerte, 462
Alexander (E.M.A.), Lieut. George Gardiner,
' 334
Alexander, Admiral Thomas (1), 538
Alexander, Capt. Thomas (2), 147 n.', 245,
246, 248
Alexander, 507, 5( 8
Alexander Nevski, 256
Alexandria (ICgypt), 309-311, 313 n.=, 322,
323
Alexandria (Potomac), 147, 151
Alyer, 440
Algerine, 279, 282 n.=, 283, 288, 292, 294 n.',
297, 298 n.', 299 n., 300, 504
Algier, Hostilities with, 224 n.^ 326-231,
235-237 ; pirates of, 226 ; French suzerainty
of, 308
Algiers, 453 n.*, 472 n.
Algoa Bay, 308
Alhucemas, 391
Aling, 386-387
j Allard, Lieut. John Hilary, 535
1 Allen, Com. Bird, 519
Allen, V.-Ad. John (1), 542
Allen, Master Robert Calder, 327-329
Allen, Lieut. T. H. (U.S.N.), 87
Allen, Lieut. William (3), 519
Allen, Lieut. William Henry (U.S.N.), 86,
87 and n.*
Alligator, 97, 149 n.^ 245-248,250, 282 n.^
283 n.', 284, 287-290
Alma River, 408, 412 ; Battle, 432
Almirante, 269
Alwyn, Master John C. (U.S.X.), 36
Amazon, 355
IKDEX TO VOLUME VI.
553
America : —
Chinese policy of, 3G0
Napoleonic wars pjolitable to, 3, -1
Naturalisation of Britisli seamen in,
9, 11
Navy of, begun, 7; in 1812, 25; ^)er-
sonnel of, 28, 20 ; successes of, 58-
63 ; inadequacy of, 65, 66, 74 ; good
feeling between IJritisli and, 387-
389; after war of 1812-1815, 176;
in 1780, 1798, 1812, 178; Canadian
rebels helped by, 277
America, North, station, 224
America, South, station, 225, 272 ; West
Coast of, suiveved, 520, 530
Amet/d/st, 213 n.^
Amherst, Lord, 231-232
Amliurstbursh (Erie), 119
Amov, 283, 284, 291, 294, 296, 304, 351,
353, 385, 388
Amphion, 413, 41G and n.\ 422-424, 478
and n.', 480, 485, 488, 494, 496
Amplutritc, 212, 429, 430, 475 n.^ 476
AmsU'l, 227, 228
Amsterdam, 197
Amur River. 429, 476
Anapa, 402,404, 435, 450, 451, 458
Anatolia, 309
Andaman Islands, 238
Anderson, Com. Drummond, 247
Anderson, Lieut. Warren Hastings, 444,
478 and n.-
Anilorimha, 367
Andrews, Clerk George, 342
Andramtichi; 273, 276, 305
Androma(juc, 419
Anylia, 459
Ango Passage, 422
Angu.s, Conu (U.S.N.), 119
Ann Cricliton, 278
Anna, 326
Anna Maria, 147 n.'
Annapolis, 180
Anne 1). Uichardson, 393
Annesley, Lieut. William Henry, 486
Anson, Capt. Talavera Vernon, 288
Anson, Cajit. the Hon. Wdliam, 256
Anson Bay. 273, 287
Antarctic Expeditions, 524-52G
Antonio (I'rince's Island), 272
Antrain, Lieut. Charles Aubrey, 227
Antwerp, 271
Anunghoy Eort, 273, 287, 289
Aphrodite, 251
Apothi, 2H8, 300, 409 and n."
Appling, Major (U.S.), 116 and n.<
Ai/iiild, 272
Aral), 98, .504
Arabat, 459
Arabia, 277-279, 310
Arabs, 36fi
Araclnic, 242-248, 250
Aragonez, Cayatano, 235
Arak.an, 249
Arhuthnot, Com. the Hon. James, 164,
165 n.2
Archangel, 474, 475
Archeri 393, 394, 478, 489, 490, 499
Archimedes, 197 and n.
Archipelago, Eastern, 521, 522
Arctic Explorations and Discoveries, 507-
518, 526-537 ; medal for, 214, 507
Ardent {liattler), 197
Ardent, 449, 453 n.*, 460, 461, 463
Arensburg, 489
Arethusa, 312, 362, 400, 401, 440, 443, 444
Argentina, 337 and n., 355 n.-
Argus, 25, 30, 41, 84, 86-88, 146 n.*
Ariadne, 218
Ariel, 120, 123, 124, 126, 474, 505
Armada, 164
Armament, Table of, 200 ; sea-face batteries
of, at Sebastt)i)ol, 441
Armide, 149 n.'
Armide (Fr.), 256, 258, 259
Armour, iron, lirst use of, 198 ; first armoured
steam ships, 470
Armstrong (Mil.), Lieut., 129
Arro</ard, 199, 200, 413, 417, 418, 420, 424,
478 and n.', 485-489, 494-496, 499, 520
Arrogantc, 277
Arrow, 199 and n.'", 453 n.*, 4{!2, 408, 472
Artemise, 429, 430
Arthur, V.-Ad. Kicharii, 188, 546
Ascension Island, 364
Ashantees, 237
Asia, 253, 254, 256-200, 270, 312, 313 n.^
449 n.'''
Asp, 96
Assam, 249
Assistance, 199 n.», 500, 532-536
Astle, K.-Ad. George, 539
Asuncion, 343
AtcJanta, 282 n.-, 283, 288
Atherton, Robert, 241
Atliorpe, Mids. , 417 n."
Atkinson (U.M.), Lieut. Robert Gordon,
233
Atlantic, 101 n.
Attwell, Mids. , 266 n.'
Auckland, 347
Auckland, George, Earl of, 185
Auckland, 288, .300, 301
Aitrora, 288, 1^91, 292, 429, 130, 475, 476
Austen, R.-Ad. Charles .j'ohn (1), 205, 226,
312, 323, 349, 374, 379 and n.', 504, 546
Austen, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Francis
William (1), 22.5, 540
Austen, Com. Francis William (2), 343
Austerlitz, 415 and n.', 41(1, 419, 477 n.
Austin, (apt. Hnratio 'i'hoiiias, .310, 312,
315, :!l(i, 323, 513, 521, 532-534
Australia, Surveys of coast of, 520, 522,
523
Austria, Relations of, with 'I'uikoy, 310-312,
311, 310, ;tl!S, 321, 395
554
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
I
Ava, 241, 24 3, 245, 24G, 24H, 249, 371, 374,
378, 37SI, 384
Avalska Bay, 430
Avatcha, 475
Anitska, 432
Avenger, 32 ii.', 505
Avinof, Capt. (Russian), 256
Ainn, 164-1C6, 170
Ayles, Lieut. John George Augustus, 379
and n.^
Ayhner, V.-Ad. Lord Frederick William,
227 and n.», 543
Ayscoua;h, Admiral John, 544
Azof, Sea of, 452-16(5
Azof, 256
Azores, 220, 519
Babingtos, Com. James Boyle, 227 and n."
Bacchante, 199 n.^
Baehm, Capt. (Fr.), 468
Back, Cajit. George, 508, 513, 516 and n.',
517 and n., 531
Back (Great Fi-sh) Eiver, 516, 529
Badagry, 368
Badcock, Com. William Stanhope, 144 n.^
Baden Zaffer, 213 n.=
Badf/er, 478 and n.', 494
Baffin's Bay, 508-510
Bahaiiia reefs, 393
Bahia, 366
Bailej', Lieut. John Crawshaw, 392
Baillie, Major, 278
Baillie. Capt. Thomas, 474
Bainbiidge, Master Commandant Joseph
(U.S.N.), 159
Bainbridge, Capt. William (U.S.X.), 48,
50, 52
Raird, Com. Andrew, 248
Baker, Com. Charles Adol)ihus, 504
Baker, Francis (First CI. Vol.), 46 n.'
Baker, Com. Henry Loraine, 147 n.'
Baker, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas (1), 225, 272, 539
Baker. Capt. Thomas Turner, 376
Baker, Mr. (Pilot), 344
Balaclava, 409, 4.34, 446, 448, 449
Balfour, Mate James Bower, 370
Ball, Sec. Mast. Edward Codriugton, 440
Ballard, R.-Ad. Volant Vashbou, 540
Ballard, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 172, 1(3
Baltchick, 399, 409, 411
Baltic Campaign, 413-427; second, 476-
500 ; medal for, 214, 506
Baltimore, 70, 72, 93, 144, 148 and n.', 153,
155
Banda Neira, 213 n.^
Banda Oriental (Uruguay), 336
Bandiera, R.-Ad. Franz Baron (Austrian),
312
Bandoola, Geul., 246
Banks, Sir Joseph, 183
Banks Island, 531, 532
Bandiee, 453 n.
Baracoa, 235 and n.'
Barbary States, American war with, 24
Barbozo, Jose Antonio (Span.), 269 n.''
Barclay, Cora. Robert Heriot, 119-124, 120,
127 and n.
Barclay, Assist.-Surg. John, 370
Baring, Eiglit Hon. Sir Francis T., 185
Barker, Admiral George, 540
Barlow, Capt. Charles Anstruther, 288, 304
Barlow, Capt. Sir Robert, 187
Barnard (R.M.A.), Lieut. Charles Loudon,
344
Barnard, Capt. Edward, 312
Barnard, Com. I'dward King, 388
Barnardiston, Lieut. Thomas, 495, 496
Barnegat, 32
Barnes, Clerk Charles, 344
Harnett, Lieut. Edward, 505
Barnett, John liarker, 459 n.
I'arnev, Caiit. Joshua (U.S.N.), 143, 145,
146'
Baro Sound, 421
Barracouta, 388, 475, 476, 518
Barrie, R.-Ad. Sir Robert, 543
Barrosa, 95
Barrow, Capt. James (U.S.N.), 18
Barrow, Sir John, 183, 185, 189, 190, 510,
524, 526
Barrow, Cape, 513, 531
Barrow Channel, 510
Barrow's Strait, 512, 527, 531, 532
Bartholomew, Com. David Ewen, 147 nn.'' ',
151, 176
Bartley, Maj.-Gen., 300-303
Bai ton. Parser John Thomas, 163 la}
Basilen, Purser William Benge, 156 n.
Basilisco, Lieut. Anton (Austrian), 312
Basilisk, 418, 419, 478, 485, 488
Bassein, 246, 247, 373, 374, 377, 3S2
Bassett, R., 97
Bassiere, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Bastard, Capt. John, 32
Batans; Lupar, 327
Batavra, 232, 233
Bateniau, R.-Ad. Charles Philip Butler, 545
Bathurst, Capt. Walter, 256, 260 and n.^
Bathurst Island, 527, 534, 536
Batoum, 399
liatroun, 315
Battary, 393
Baudais, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Baudin, R.-Ad. (Fr.), 305
Baugh, Lieut. Henry William, 327
Baxada de Santa Fe, 343 and n., 344
Baxter (R.M.), Lieut. George, 230
Bay St. Louis, 149 n.'^
B a yard, 440
BayHeld, V.-Ad. Henry Wolsey, 549
Bay ley, Capt. John, 175
Bavnes, Admiral Sir Robert Lambert, 260
and n.*^, 305, 478, 499,1549
Baynton, Com. Benjamin, 449
Bazaine, Genl. (Fr.), 471
Bazely, Lieut. John (3), 242, 243
INDEX TO VOL DM E VI.
555
Beacon, 478 and n.'
Beagle, 199 n.'", 436, 440 and d.', 453 n.^
459-461, 472, 519, 520
Beards, 211
Beauchaiiiii, Lieut. Edward Ualkcd, 344
Beaviclerk, Adiuiral Lord Ainelius, 223
Beaufort, I!.-Ad. Sir Francis (1), 182, 188,
514, 515, 524
Beauinan, K.-Ad. I'Vancis, 545
Beclier, Com. Alexander Bridport, 521
Beckwith, Maj.-Gen. Sir Sydney, 94
Bedford, 149 n.'
Beiiin^field, Lieut. Nomian Bernard, 393
Beechev, R.-Ad. Frederick William, 182,
508, 510, 513, 519
Beechey Island, 527, 533
Beecroft, Consul, 367, 309, 370, 393
Beelzebub, 227
Beiko.s, 306
Beith, Assist.-Surg. Robert, 327
Belcher, Ca])t. Sir I'dward, 288, 292, 304,
327, 328, 506, 522, 535
Bel'iium, 270
Bell, Com. Charles, 288
Bell, Lieut. Christoiilicr James, 137
Bell (H.M.), Capt. George Augustus, 260
Bell, Williani, 308
Bell, Lieut., 265
Bellair, 144 and n.»
Belh Poule, 149 n.'
BeUeisle, 288, 300, 419, 478 and n.'
Belteropkon, 312, 317, 318 n., 319, 320, 440,
444 and w?
BcUona, 394
Beloidera. 30-33, 98
Benhow, 312, 313 and n.\ 315, 318 u., 319,
320
Benedict, 144 n.-
Bengal, 245, 374
Benin River, 393
Bennett, V.-Ad. Thomas, 549
Bentliam, Capt. George, 155, 227 and u.*
Bentinck, Com. Richard Collinson, 288
Bentinck, 295 n., 297, 298 ii.'
Benyon, Lieut. Benjamin George, 144 n.'
Bermiii, 345
Berdiansk, 454, 460, 461
Berenice, 382
Bercsford, V.-A<1. Sir John Poo, 40, 224
Bering Straif, 5.30, 5.'i2
Berkelej', V.-Ad. the Hon. George Cranfield,
17, 19, 20
Berkeley, Admiral Ijord Maurice Frederick
Fitzhardingo (Earl Fitzhardinge), 211
ard n.^ 312, 323, 547
Berlin, Decrees of, 10
Bermuda, 148 n.', 109
Bermuda, 504, 506
Berry, R.-Ad. Sir Edward, 539
Beschir, Emir, .'ill, 312
Bcsika Bay, 309, 396 an<l n.
Bethunc, Admiral Charles Ramsey l>riid\-
waler, 283 and n.", 2KH, 304
Bcyrout, 310-314, 31»!-318, 321, 322
Bias Bav, 353-354, 357
Biddle, Capt. James (I'.S.X.), 40, 173-175
I'iddlecombe, Master George, 418
Bieloserai Spit, 463
Big Sandy Creek, 116
Bigncll, Lieut. George, 122 n."
Bilbao, 276
Bilge tanks, iron, Livention of, 285 n.
Bingham, Com. Arthur Batt, 22 and n.-
Bingham, R.-Ad. Joseph, 538
Biorneborg, 499
Birch, Com. Thomas Francis, 360, 478, 480
Bird, 1!.-Ad. Edward Joseph, 511, 513, 514,
524, 530
Buk.nhead, 195, 196, 199
Birkeuhead, 196, 505
Biscay, Bay of, 161, 169
Biscoe, John, 525
Biskops Island, 480
Bissctr (R.M.), Lieut. John James Patrick,
230
Bissly, (U.S. seaman), 105
Biter, 478 and n.', 494
Bittern, 390
Bjorko Sound, 480
lilwk Eaqle, 503
Black Joke, 269
Black Hock, 118
Blackwall, 196, 199
Blackwood, Capt. Francis Price, 212, 522
Blackwood, V.-Ad. the lion. Sir Henry,
224 225
Blackwood, Capt. Price (Lord Dufterin),
273 and n '
Bladen- burg, 95, 144, 145 and n.
Blake, Capt. Patrick John, 288
Blake, Lieut. William Hans, 496
Ulakely, Cajit. Johnston (L.S.N.), 161-165
Blanckley, Com. Edward, 247 and n.^
Filand, Lieut. Alleyne, 431
Bland, Quartermaster Francis, 107
Blazer, 212 and n.', 478 and n.', 489
Blenheim, 283, 287-289, 291, 294 and u.',
295 n., 413, 419, 422 and n.-, 424, 478,
485 499
Bligh,'R.-Ad. John(2), 539
Blockade running, 166, 173
Blockades : —
Algerian coast, 236
American coast, 31, 64, 08, 69, 74, 91,
99, U6, 142, 15], 152, 158, 177
Barliarv States, 24
Black Sea, 450
(Jam on, 281 ami n.', 282
Chesapeake, The, 31
Chinese coast, 283
Courland, Coast of, 478
Hanube, The, 41)1
Erie harbour, 120
Pinland, Coast of, 485 n.
I'Vencli porl.s, 3-5
Ilaili, 9, 10
^56
IXDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Blockades — continued.
Holland, 270
Jamaica, 57
Libau, 415
Malay Peninsula, 270
MilfoVa, 154
New York, 14-16, 09
Uiga, 415, 416
Sackett's Harbour, 116
Syiiaand Egypt, 312
United Kingdom (Boyle's jest), 153
White Sea, Russian jiorts in, 428
Blofield, Boatswain's Mate Charles, 371, 47b
and n.^
Blomefield, Genl. Sir Thomas, 201 and n.-
Bloitde, 2('2, 283 and n.^, 288, 298 n.', 299
and n., 294 and n.', 295 n , 296, 297 n.,
300-303
Bloodhound, 367-370
Blossom, 513
Blurton, Lieut. George, 227
BIyth, Com. Samuel, 89, 91 and n.-
Boadicea, 247, 248, 250
Bocca Ti<-Tis, 232, 273
Boers, 308
Bogdanovich, (_'apt. (Russian), 256
Boger, 1!.-Ad. Edmund, 544
Bogle, Mate Archibald George, 478 and n.-
Bogskarin Beacon, 488
Bogue Forts, 273, 281, 284, 285, 287, 289,
291, 293, 351 n.*
Boharsef, 318
I'oilers, Types of, 202
Boladora, 268
Bolton, Lieut. Charles, 273, 505
Bomarsund, 419, 420, 421-425
Bombav, 153
Bombe', 493
Bona, 237
Bonbee, 393
Bond, Master'.s Mate John Hohnes, 175 n.'
Bonetta, 306, 36C
Bonham, Sir George, 355-356, 386
Boime Citoyenne, 48, 5.3, 76, 213 n.'
Booth, Sir Felix, 514
Boothia Felix, 515
Boothia Isthmus, 516
Borgne, Lake, 148
Borius, i:apt. (Kr.), 440
Borneo, 323-325, 332, 335, 362, 522
Bornholm, 415
Bosanquet, Com. Charles John, 276, 305
Bosanquet, Act.-Boatswain .John, 478 and n.-
Boscawen (Bombay Mar.), George, 244
Boscawen, 419
Bostnu, 34, 41, 48 n.', 69, 75, 79, 160, 171,
273
Boteler, Lieut. John Harvey, 255
Bottler, Lieut. Thomas, 518
Bothnia, Gulf of, 416, 490, 499
Botoya Bay, 362
Bouet, Commandant (Fr.), 462
Bouet-Willaumez, H.-Ad., 413
Boughey, Lieut. Charles Fentcjn Fletclier,
367
Boulton and Watt, Messi's., 203
Bourchier, Capt. Sir 'J'homas, 187, 283, 288,
292, 297, 304
Bourrasque, 462
Bouverie, V.-Ad. the Hun. Duncombe Pley-
dell, 187, 541
Bowen, Mids. Robert C, 230
Bo wen, Capt., 180
Bower, Lieut. James Paterson, 285
Bowles, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William,
205, 545
Boxer, Alexander Fraser, 436
Boxer, E.-Ad. Edward, 305, 312, 323, 448,
458, 548
Boxer, 89-91, 400 and n.^ 461, 463, 471
Boyce (LN.), Lieut. Charles, 151 n.", 176
Boyes, Com. Henry, 288
Boyle, Com. Alexander, 505
Boyle, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Courtenav, 186,
187, 539
Boyle, Thomas, 153, 155
Boys, Mids. Richard, 360
Boys, Y.-Ad. 'J'humas (I), 538
Brace, Y.-A.l. Sir Edward, 224, 227, 540
Bradley, Lieut. Stephen, 314 n.-'
Brahestad, 417
Bramble, 522, 523
Brand, Lieut. William Alexander, 98 n.''
Brandon, 490
Brazil, 106, 233 n.S 265, 275, 365, 392
Breckinbridge, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 93
l!remer, R.-Ad. Sir .James John Gordon,
282-284, 287, 288, 291, 293, 294, 504,
547
Brent, Lieut. Harry Woodfall, 468 and n.'
Brenton, Y.-Ad. Sir Jahleel (2), 540
Brereton, Maj.-Genl. W., quoted, 409, 410,
411, 437, 438 : cited, 412, 437
Breslau, 256, 419
Brickdale, Lieut. Charles John, 342
Bridges, Com. James Henry, 350, 300
and n.^
Bridgman, Capt. the Hon. Charles Orlando,
262
Brigantines, 155
Briggs, Admiral Sir John Thomas, 186,
190
Briggs, Admiral Sir Thomas, 188, 223, 541
Brigs, American, 26, 57, 110; British, 155
Brig-sloops, 27, 159
Brisbane, R.-Ad. Sir Charles, 538
Brisbane, Commod. Sir James, 213 n.^ 225,
227, 247-249
Briseis, 504, 505
Brisk, 256, 270, 428, 475 n.^
Bristol, 153
Britannia, 219, 390, 409, 432 n.% 439, 440,
444, 445 11.2
British Channel, 153, 161
Britomart, 193, 200, 227, 523
Broad, Act.-Boatswain Richard, 478 ami 11.2
IXDEX TO VOLUME VI.
oui
Broadside weight uf metal, 26-28, 42, 88 ti.\
120, 122, 133, 159, 104
Brock, Capt. 'I'lioinas Saumarez, 412, 440
Broclv, Uenl., 118
Brocliville, 277
Brodic, Master William, 283 n.", 288
Broke, R.-Ad. Sir Philiji Bowes Vere, 31, 32,
70-82, 84-80 and ii., 17!l, 203, 541
Broiidey, Sir Kichard Marox, 1^0
Bromley, Admiral Sir Itoliert Howe, 541
Brooke, 8ir James, 323-329, 332-335, 302,
363
Brooker, Lieut. Edward Wolfe, 471
Broiiker, Com. George Augustus Cooke, 390
Brookes, Lieut. Joshua Rowland, 468
Brooking, Lieut. Arthur, 505
Brooking (I.N.), Com., 374, 378
Brooks, Lieut. (U.S. Mar.), 125
Broom, Lieut. James (U.S. Mar.), 81
Brougham, Lord, 220
ISroughton, R.-Ad. John (1), 541
Broughton, Capt. William, 209, 270 n.'
Brown, Genl. Sir George, 407, 452, 453
Brown, Genl. Jacob (U.S.), 113, 117
Brown, Admiral Thomas, 271, 544
Brown, Com. Thomas Bourmaster, 505
Brown, Commod. William, 337 and n.,
338 n.'
Brown, Master's Mate William, 52 n.'-
Brown, Admiral, 20() n.^
" Brown Bess," 202 and n.'
Browne, R.-Ad. Edward Walpole, 542
Browne, R.-Ad. Philip (2), 540
Browne, V.-Ad. Thomas (1), 543
Brownsdon, Payma-iter Richard, 390
Bruat, V.-Ad. (Fr.), 399 n.^ 400, 409, 413,
440, 448, 453, 470-474
Bruce, Admiral Sir Henry William, 225,
308, 309, 475, .548
Bruce, Lieut. William Henry (2), 31 n.-'
Brunei, 332, 335 ; River, 329
Krunel, Marc Isamhard (l''ngineer), 194
Brunswick Xaval Hifle, 202
Uuretituurc, 420 n.'
]5uchan, Cajit. David, 508 and ii.'
liuihan, Lieut. Edward Wise, 122 n.', 124
Iiucharest, 397
Buckle, Capt. Claude Henry Mason, 364,
307, 413, 417, 448, 472
Buckle, V.-Ad. Matlliew (2), 542
Bucklev, Mills. Cecil W., 392
Buckley, Lieut. Cecil William, 215, 429,
450, 457, 46.5
Itudd, Lieut. George (U.S.N.), 81, 82
Buenos Aires, 200 n.'', 272, 337 u.
BulValo, 143
Iliiffnh, 505
Bug River, 470, ■173
Piullord, Lieut. John, 40 n.'
Bulganak River, 432
Bulger (Mi!.), Lieut. A. II., 129
Bull, Lieut. James, 444
liull. Sec. Master .John Augustus, 490
Biilldo;/, 420, 423, 425, 478, 490
Bullen, Admiral Sir Charles, 187, 542
Bullen, Admiral Joseph, 538
Bullen, Paymaster Robert Henry, 371 and
n.»
Bullock, Captain Frederick, 519
Bullock, Mate Thomas Thelwall, 445 n.-
Bullom, 394
Bundoola (Burmese leader), 378, 379
Buratovicli, Com. Johanu von (Austrian),
312
Burgess, Lieut. George Foster, 424 n.-
Burgess, Ca])t. Samuel, 227 and n., 505
Burg.iyne, Com. Hugh Talbot, 215, 456,
405
Burke, Denis (Stoker), 350
Burlington Bay, 115
Burltou, R.-Ad. Sir George, 175
Burmese War, First, 237-250, 323; medals
for, 214 and notes; Second, 371-384
Burnett, Mids. Francis S., 234
Burnett, Sir William, 180, 187
Burrell, Col., 282 n.'
Burridge, Capt. Richard, 429, 431, 475 n.-^
iiurrows, Lieut. William (U.S.X.), 89-91
Burstal, Com. Edward, 490
Burton, Com. .James Rvder, 236
Bush (U.S. Mar.), Lieu't. William S., 36
Bushnell, Lieut. James Ueiuy, 383
Butcher, V.-.Ad. Samuel, 543
Butman, Master (U.S.), 272
Butterlield, Com. Edward Harris, 209, 270
Buttertield, R.-Ad. William, 542
Buzzard, 275, 270
Byron, R.-Ad. George Anson (2), Lord, 547
Bvron (R.M.), Capt. Richard (2), 30-32, 98
! Byron, R.-Ad. Richard (2), 542
' Bythesca, Lieut. John, 215
Caiiinha, 300
Cable, Submarine, 453
Cachar, 249
Caches River, 520
Vacitjitc, 408, 44()
Cadogan, Admiral Earl (Hon. George Cado-
gan), 545
Ci'.sar, 4)5, 419, 478
Callin, Capt., 424, 478
Caifla, 315
Calabar River, 269
Calcutta, 237, 240, 245, 249, 291, 294, .172-
374
Caldwell, Capt. Henry, 478, 195, 490, 500
Cnhduiiia (Brit.), 117-119, 124, 212
Caledonia (U.S.N.), 120, 122, 123, 125, 120
Calhoun, John CaMwell, 23
Call, William, 105
Calln Tremontana, Point, .'SOI
Callao, 204
Calliope, 215, 285, 28V-289, 294, 300, 348,
349
Cally, Sailing Master (U.S.), 130
Calthorpe, Mids. Richard, 230
558
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Calypso, 505
Cambrian, 256-258, 261, 262, 288, 504
Cambridge, H.R.H. the Duke of, 473
Camhrid;/-, 203, 281 and n.-, 290, 312, 322
Came!, 472
Camehon, 236, 262
Campadora (ex Lucy Ann), 392 ii."
Campbell, Genl. Sir ArchibaUi, 237, 240-
242, 245, 246, 24H, 249
Campbell, Com. C. D. (I.N.), 377
Campbell, Admiral Sir George, 223
Campbell, Lieut, tlie Hon. George Prvse,
31 n.»
Campbell, Master's Mate J., 122 u.'
Campbell, Lieut. James Carter, 478, 496
Campbell, Capt. John Norman, 260 and n.*
Campbell, V.-Ad. Sir Patrick (1), 5iO
Camperdiiwn, Battle of, 128 ; medal for,
21311.'
Campion, Lieut. Hubert, 460, 464, 465
Canada {see aho Ontarii?, etc.), 58, 72, 112,
114, 119, 120, 277
Canada, 440
Canning, Rt. Hon. George, 20, 60, 177 n.,
184 n.
Canrobert, Genl. (Fr.), 407, 434, 453
Caftso, 98 n.'
Canton, 273, 280-282, 285, 291-293, 304,
355-357; River, 232, 273, 287, 295,
351 n.*
Cape Coast Castle, 220, 237
Cape Colony, 303
Cajje of Good Hope, 214, 275
Cape de Verde Islands, 171
Capell, Admiral the Hon. Sir Thomas
Bladen, 213, 223, 225, .540
Capellen, V.-Ad. Baron Theodore Frederick
van (Dutch), 227
Caradoc, 199, 411, 412, 432 n.^ 453 n.*
Carden, R.-Ad. John Surman, 41—47, 544
Carew, Cajit. Thomas, 504
Carlists, 276
Carniel, Mount, 322
Carmichael, Lieut. Thomas, 288
Carmona, Genl. (Cartagenan), 307
Carnation, 155-157
Carnegie, Capt. the Hon. Swinfen Thomas,
413, 435, 440
Caroband Bank, 53
Carolina, 94, 97
Carolina, '111
Carpenter, Surg. Richard, 370
Carrington, Lieut. Edward Murrav Winter,
417 n.2
Carroll, R.-Ad. Sir William Fairbrother, 547
Carron, 150, 478 and n.', 501
Carron Companv, 201
Carronades, 22 ii.', 26 and n., 27, 30, 32 n.',
38, 42, 48, 53, 55 and n.', 78, 95, 98, 102,
lU, 122-123, 133, 1.34, 139, 149 and n.=,
150, 155 n.i, 159, 162, 164, 170, 173, 234,
235, 307, 331
Cartagena, 307 and n.
Carter, V.-Ad. Charles (2), 543
Carter, V.-Ad. Thomas Wren, 212, 30o, 396,
440, 549
Carthew, Admiral James, 541
Carysfort, R.-.Ad. the Earl of (Hon. Gran-
ville Leveson Probv), 545
Car„sfort, 312, 314,"315, 318 n., 319, 320,
322, 323
Cashman, Lieut. William, 506
Casilha Bay, 284
Cassin, Lieut.-Com. Stephen (U.S.N.), 132,
137, 141
Castilian, 164-16G
Castor, 256, 271, 276, 310, 312, 314, 315,
318 n., 319-321, 348, 349
Caton, 446, 462
Cator, Lieut. John Bertie, 532
Cazzina, Cape, 226
Cecil, Mids. Lord Edward Henry, 446 n.
Centaur, 367, 478, 499
Ceylon, 245
Ch'abannes, Capt. de (Fr.), 440
Ch icahuco, 343
Chads, Admiral Sir Henry Ducie, 48 n.^ 51,
52 and n.-, 203, 205, 242-245, 247-249,
273-276, 288, 413, 422, 42.3, 426, 466, 548
Chagres River, 521
Challenger, 505
Chambers, Lieut. Ennis, 360 and n.^
Chambers, Lieut. Thomas, 163 n."
Chameleon, 505
Champion, 248, 250
Champlain, Lake, 10:i, 110, 1.30-141, 158
Chamiilin, Sailing Master Stephen (U S.N.),
126, 128, 129 ■"
Chang-shih-wu-tz, 355
Chanticleer, 521, 532
Chaplains, 210, 220
Chapman, Capt. Isham Fleming, 218 n.^
Chapoo, 284, 297, 298
Charlemagne, 401, 402, 440
Charleston, 69
Charlewood, Com. Edward Philips, 315
and n.-
Charner, R.-Ad. (Fr.), 413. 434, 440, 458
Charts, 181, 182
Charwell, 129 n.=
Charybdis, 307
Chase, Lieut. Parkhurst, 444
Chasseur, 153, 155 and n.'
Chatham, 187, 194, 199
Chauncev, Commod. Isaac (U.R.N.), 111-
117, 134
Cheape, Brig.-Genl. Sir John, 384
Cheduba Island, 238, 240, 249
t;he-kiang, 297
Cherimon River, 332-333
Chersonese, 448
Cheruh, 101-104, 107, 108
Chesapeake Bay, 31, 67, 70, 92, 94, 97, 99,
142, 146, 148
Chesapeake, 18, 19, 25, 26, 47, 'i5, 76, 78-
86, 124, 199 n.', 213
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
559
Chesshyre, V.-Ail. John, 540
Chester, Kebecca, ir>5 n.^
Chetham, V.-Ad. Sir Edward (Admh-al Sir
E. C. Strode), 227, 5i5
Chetwode, Lieut. Philip, 3-0
Chevalier, Cajrt. (Fr.), -t-lO ; quoted, 437,
4;t7 : cited, 438
Chichester, Mids. Louis, 431
Chiet' Assistant and Draughtsman to the
Surveyors, 18G
Chief Constructor, 180
Chief Engineer and Inspector of Steam
Machinery, 188
Childers, 150, 271, 288
Chile, 203, 205
Chinimo Island, 352
China :
Amherst's mission to, 231-232
Canton Eiver hostilities (1834), 273-
275
Operations in (1839-1842), 196, 279-
304; medal for, 214; (1843-1849),
351-300 ; (1853), 384-386, 388-390
Station, 225 and n.
Survey ol' coasts of, 522
China Seas, 151, 153, 429-432
Chinca, Mids. Domenico (Austrian), 316
and n.'
Chingkiang, 301, 303
Chinhae, 283, 291, 295-297
Chippeway, 117, 121, 122 and n.', 124, 126
Chittagons, 245
Cholera, 240, 370, 409, 436, 458, 473
Chorouksoo, 402
Christenestad, 480
Christian, K.-Ad. Hood Ilanway, 511
Christcphe CoUnnb, 440
Chuhb{e\-a,owler), 13J, 132 n.^ 133, 136,
137, 141 n."
Chuenpee, 232, 273, 285
Chunhow, 281
Cliuia]X)o, 353-357
Chukshan, 357
Churchill, Capt. Lord Henry John Spencer,
213, 219 n.'
Chusau, 282-284, 287, 291, 294-297, 304
Chcasbian, 440
Circassians, 403, 458
Clapperton, Con;. Hugh, 519
Clare, Francis, 266
Clarke, Com. Cieorge Henry, 424, 425
Clarke, Capt. Thomas Jordaine, 288
ClavcU, Cajjt. John, 187
Clavering, Com. Douglas Charles, 504, 517
Clay, 1!.-Ad. Edward Sneyd, 543
Clay, Henry, 23
Clemenis (H.M.), Lieut. William Henry,
431
Chmenza, 312
Cleopatra, 306
Cleopaire, 474
Cleveland, Cajil. liichard J., 13
Ciewley, S. E., 206
Clift'ord, Admiral .Sir Augustus William
James, 547
Clifibrd, Com. William John, 3.30
Cliliord, Capt. William John Cavendish, 478
Clinker, 400, 403, 471
Cliu, 272, 288, 209 n., 300 and n.
Cloete, Col., 308
Close, Lieut. Francis Arden, 300 and n.',
424 n.^ 425
Clutterbuck, Lieut. Charles Henry, 490
Coan liiver, 148 n.'
Coast Blockade, 208
Coast Volunteers, 203
Coastguard, 203
Cochet, Admiral John, 538
Cochin Cliina, 358, 300
Cochrane, V.-Ad. Sir Alexander Forester
Inglis, 13, 99 and n., 142, 144, 146, 148,
223
Cochrane, ('apt. the Hon. Arthur Auckland
Leopold Pedro, 410, 425
Cochrane, H.-Ad. Nathaniel Day, 544
Cochrane, Admiral Thomas, Lord (Earl of
Dundonald), 253 and n.^ 202-260, 541
Cochrane, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas
John, 223, 220, 329, 330, 332, 333, 347,
351, 352, 302, 544
Copioco, 367, 368, 371
Cockburn, V.-Ad. the lit. Hon. Sir George,
70, 92, 9t, 142, 144 and n.^ 145 n., 146-
148 u.^ 150, 225
Cocked hats, 211
Cocyte, 474
Codrington, Admiral Sir Edward, 223, 224,
252-258, 260, 201
Codrington, Capt. Henry John, :!12, 323,
413, 478
Coe, Capt. Thomas (I.N.), 242
Coghill, V.-Ad. Sir Josiah Coghill (Josiah
Cramer), 544
Coig, Capt. (Span.), 205
Coin Arrang, 333
Colborne, 2Ti
Colchester, Capt. Lord, 271
Coles, Capt. Cowper Phipps, 450, 405, 472
Collard, 1{.-Ad. X'alentine, 545
Collier, V.-Ad. Sir Edward (1), 312, 315,
321, 323, 548
Collier, H.-Ad. Sir Francis Augustus, 220,
234, 209, 271, 352, 357, 350, 540
Collier, Capt. Sir George Halph, 171
Collinson, Admiral Sir Uicliard, 200, 304,
521, 522, 531
CoUman, Assist. Surg. Horatio, 519 n.'
Colon ia, 337
Colunsits, 478
Colpoys, V.-Ad. Edward Grillith, 224, 225
Colombia Hepublic, 307
Colt's revolver, 202
Columbia Iliver, 101, 108
Cohmbinc, 102, 285, 288, 291, 204 n.',
205 n., 290, 207 n., 208 n., 200 n., 300
and n., 335, 330, 352, 354-350, 501
5(30
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Colville, xVdmiral the Hon. John, Lord, 538
Oolwell, Dennis (Schoulniaster), 46 n.'
Comber, Mids. Henry AVandesford, 325, 327
Comet, 106
Coming, Lieut., 266
Commanders-in-Chief (1815-1856), List of,
223-226
Commerce : see Trade.
Commerell, Admiral Sir John Edmund, 215,
341, 503
Commissioned officers. Warrant officers
transmuted into, 210
Commissioner of tlie Navj-, 186 n.'
Commissioners of Dockyards, 187
Commissioners of Victualling, 186 and n.'
Comus, 338-340, 342, 504
Conch, 308
Confianc, 132 u.=, 133, 134, 136, 138-141
and n.', 504
Confiscation — of crew, 4, 10, 12 ; of ships,
11,21
Contact, 416 and n.^ 478, 485, 490, 498,
49'J
Congleton, Lord, 185
Congo, 183 ; River, 183, 306, 394
Congress, 25, 26, 30, 41
Congreve, Lieut.-Genl. Sir William, 201
and n.-
Congrcve guns, 275
Congreve rockets, 334
Conkling, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 129, 130
Connor, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 54, 55
Coiislantiii, 256, 257
Const.mtinople, 406
Coustellation, 25, 26, 93, 98
Constitution, 25-28, 32-37, 48-53, 62, 66,
75, 169-172
Contest, 96, 505
Continuous service, 207
Controller of Steam Machinery and the
Packet Service, 188
Controller of the Navy, 185, 186 n.'
Controller of Victualling, 186 and ;i.'
Controller of Victualling and Transport,
189
Conway, 271, 282 n.^, 283, 284, 288, 294,
345, 521
Coode, v.- Ad. Sir John, 227 and n.^ 230,
546
Cook, Gunner J., 371
Cook, Cajit. James, 182
Cookson, Mids. Edgar, 381
Coo],er, Boatswain JBenry, 215, 457
Coote, Com. Robert, 367, 369, 371
Coote, Lieut.-CoL, 376
Coote, 277, 278
Coppermine River, 513
Coquette (Brit.), 48 u.'''
Coquette (Fr.), 343
Corbett, Com. John, 369-371 and n.-, 506
Cordelia, 227
Corea, 522
Coi-isco Island, 306
Cormorimt, 391, 392
Cornewall, Lieut. \\'illiani Napier, 496
Cornwall, 86
ConiwaUis, 175, 288, 297 and n., 298 n.',
299 n., 300, 302-305, 478 and n.', 494
and n.^ 496
Cornwallis Island, 527, 533
Cornwell, James, 481
Corrientes, 343, 344
Corrv, R.-Ad. Armar I.owrv (1), 414, 420,
548
Corry, Rt. Hon. H. T. Lowry, 185
Cosnaliau, Mids., 81
Cossack, 478 and u.', 479, 481, 488, 489,
494-496
Cote River, 326
Cotesworth, Lieut. William, 237
Cotton, Com. Charles, 262
Ct>tton, Brig.-Genl. Willoughby, 246
Coulan Bav, 388, 389
Courland, 478, 490, 499
Courtenay, V.-Ad. George William Conwav,
549
Courts-martial, 18, 36 n.-, 37 n.-, 44 n.*,
51 n.', 81 n., 127 n., 171 n.', 218, 536
Cowell, Lieut. J. G. (U.S.N.), 106
Cowes, 199
Cowley, Lord, 473
Cox, Lieut. Thomas S., 116 n.*
Coyde, Mids. William, 243, 244, 249
Crab Island, 137
Cracker, 460-463, 471-473
Cracroft, Com. Peter, 505
Craigie, Com. Robert, 277
Craigie, Lieut. Robert George, 478 and n.-
Cramer, Capt. Josiah (V.-Ad. Sir Josiah
Coghill Coghill), 544
Cranej- Island, 93
Cranley, Alexander, 241
Craufurd, I'apt. Frederick Augustus Buch-
anan, 451, 461, 465
Craufurd, Com. Henry William, 305
Crawford, Com. Richard Borough, 478
Crawford fBombay Mar.\ Piobert, 241
Crawley, Lieut. Charles Gibbs, 506
Creagh, Lieut. John Brasier, 468 and n.'^
Cressy, 415, 419, 478
Creswell, Mr., 535
Crete, 310
(_'reyke. Com. Richard Boyuton, 498 and n.
Crimean AVar —
Alma, Battle of the, 432
Arctic experience valuable in, 537
Balaclava — seized, 434 ; cavalry action
at, 446 ; sanitation at, 458
Bornarsund attacked and captured,
420-425
Cholera, 409, 436
Circassians, Negotiations with, 403
Crimea, Invasion of, 407, 409-412
Cronstadt — reconnoitred, 420; torpedoes
at, 482-484
Danube mouths blockaded, 404
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
561
Crimean '^ six— continued.
Declaration of war, 414
Defects of organisation, 43G
Eastern shores of Black Sea, Expedition
to, 401-404
Eupatoria reconnoitred, 401
Excessive ajte of conimanders in, 205
French fleet. Arrival of, at Besika Bay,
396 ; mortality of, from cholera, 409 ;
in Oimca, 419; disadvantages at-
taching to, 421
Gamla Carleby, 417
Hindrances to usefulness of British
fleet, 421
Hurricane, 448, 449
Inkerman, Battle of, 449
Kertch, 453-458
Kherson, 473
Kinlnirn, 469-474
List of shii>s composing allied fleet, 419
Medal for, 214
Military Stations on East Coast of Black
Sea not evacuated or destroyed, 402
Organisation, Deficiency of, 436
Redout Kaleh attacked, 402-404
Keturn of fleet to England, 5C0
Review of fleet engaged in, 503
Revolvers used in, 202
Russians, Aggressive demands of, 395 ;
Danube provinces occupied by, 395,
396, 399 ; Osman attacked by, 397 ;
held in check before Silistria, 404 ;
fleet of, at Cronstadt, 420 ; ships o',
sunk, 433 ; gunnery of, defective,
436 ; sortie of, against Naval Brigade,
446 ; preliminaries of peace accepted
by, 474
Sebastopol, 397, 398, 401, 403, 434-
446
Silistria, Siege of, 404, 407
Sulina Mouth, Bombardment of works
in, 405
Survey and lessons of, 502
Swtaborg blockaded, 420
Tiijcr, Loss of, 403, 404
Transports, Use of, 406, 407
Treaty of Paris, 500
A'arna, Transfer of army to, 404-406
Vessels used in, 199 nn. '• '"• "
Vladimir and Chersonese, Sortie of,
448
Cririe, Lieut. John, 07
Crocket (K.M.A.), Lieut. .John, 307
Crocodile, 305
Crofi, U.-Ad. William, 515
Crofton, Capt. Edward, I Is n.'
Crofton, V.-Ad. the Hon. George Alfred,
547
Crofton, Com. Stephen Smith Lowther, 478,
485
Croker, Lieut. Charles, 208
Crokcr, lit. Hon. .John Wilson, 15 1, 185
Croker, Com. Walter, 323
VOL. VL
Cronstadt, 414, 420, 480, 482-484, 499
Crooked Spit, 463
eVosbie, Capt. Thomas Sackville, 264, 266
and n.^
Cross Island, 474
Crouch, Lieut. Edward, 302
Crout, Master John Thomas, 365
Crow's Shoal, 96
Crozier, Capt. Francis Rawdou Moira, 505,
511, 513, 514, 524, 527, 529
Cruiser, 193, 200, 278, 283 n.', 288, 294 n.',
295 n., 330, 478 and u.', 494, 499
Cruisers, American, 57, 158, 177
Cua Keum (Cua Cam) River, 358, 359
Cuba, 234
Cuc!i-oo, 478, 490, 499
Cumberland, R.-Ad. William, 539
Cumberland, 193, 200, 419
Gumming, Capt. .Vrthur, 310, 416
Cuming, R.-Ad. William, 539
Cuming, Mate William Henry, 478 and n.-
t 'uningham, Capt. Charles, 187
Curayoa, 213 n.'
Curafoa, 199 n.*, 450, 472 n.
Curlew, 234, 272, 273, 453 n.*, 454, 45»-
461, 463
Curry, V.-Ad. Richard, 541
Curry, Lieut. Rodger Carley, 96
Curtis, Lieut. Alfred John, 349
Curtis, Boatswain's Mate Henry, 215
tlurtis. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Lucius,
188, 544
Curzon, Capt. Edward, 256
C'utfield, Com. William, 518
Cuthhert Young, 391
Cutting-out expeditions, 24, 57, 92, 98, 116,
128-130, 119, 151, 155, 277, 305
C>iane, 27, 109-172
Cyclo-ps, 310, 312-316, 440
Cijdnus, 149 n.'
Cygnet, 305
Cynthia, 504
Cyprus, 311, 313
D.\ Sylva, 375
D'Acosta (Mil.), Capt., 353
Dacres, V.-.\d. James Richard (2), 12 n.,
32, 34-37 and iioles, 306, 544
Dacres, Capt. Sidney Coliroys, 276, 398 n.,
400, 440, 466
Daedalus, 330, 334
D'.Veth, Mids. Edward Henry Hughes, 325,
328
Dagcraad, 227, 228
Dago, 488
D'Aguilar, Lieut. Francis James, 366
Dalhousic, fjord, 373
Dalla, 24.3, 375; River, 241, 244
Dalling, Capt. John William, 312
Dalrymple, .'Mexnnder (Ilydrogra]ihor), 182
Daly, R.-Ad. Cutlibert Featlierstone, 540
D'Amaral, (.'ujit., .353
Damooda, 3b0, 381
2 O
562
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Daniel, Mids. Edward St. John, 215, 450
Daniels, Lieut., 278
Danish frigates, 27, 28 ; gunhoats, 95
Danube, 3ki, 40-t
Danube, 426
Danzig, .391
D.iphne, 256, 312, 314
Dapj'tr, 478 and n.\ 404
Dardanelles, 231, 311, 3!I6, 399
Darivn, 419
Darricau, Capt. ( Fr.), 400, 440
Dartmouth, 2.i3-256, 258, 259
Darwin, Charles Robert, 520
Dashwood, V.-Ad. Sir Charles, 541
Dashwood, Com. AVilliam Bateman, 226,
227
D'Assas, 477 n., 483, 499
Datu, Cape, 325
Dauntless, 362, 418, 472 n.
Daujihin, 448
D'Autemarre, Genl. (Fr.), 452
Davenport, R.-Ad. Sir Salusbury Pr3'ce
(previously Humphrej-s), 18, 19, 543
Davidson, John (Clerk in Charge), 188
Davies (R.M.), Lieut. David, 52 n.^
Davies, Com. James, 227 and n.''
Davies, Com. John, 228 and n.-
Davies, Capt. Lewis, 256 and n.', 312
Davies, Com. Thomas (2), 424, 425
Davis Strait, 510
Dawson, Rt. Hon. George R., 185
Dawson, Com. John Francis, 248 and n.''
Day, Com. George Fiott, 215, 456, 463-
465
De Berg, Genl., cited, 482 n.
De Chabanues, Capt. Vicomte (Fr.), 401,
402, 440
De Cintre, Capt. (Fr.), 460 n.
De Courcy, H.-Ad. Michael (3), 307, 308
auil n.'
De Kantzow, Lieut. Herbert Philip, 392
De La Riviere, Lieut. (Fr.), 338
De Lassusse, Y.-Ad. (Fr.), 396
De Mackau, B.-Ad. (Fr.), 270
De Man, Capt. A. \V. (Dutch), 227
De Mayne, Anthony, 505
De Redcliffe, Lord Stratford, 466
De Rigny, R.-Ad. Henri (Fr.), 253, 254,
256, 258
De Rosas, Don Juan Manuel (Argentine),
336, 337, 342 n.', 343, 345
De Saisset, Capt. (Fr.), 440
De Sedaiges, Com. Beral (Fr.), 454
De Starck, R.-Ad. Mauritius Adolphus
Newton, 545
De Surville, Com. (Fr.), 425
De Tinan, R.-Ad. Lebarbier (Fr.), 413
De Varese, Capt. (Fr.), 440
De Villeneuve, R.-Ad. Ducrest (Fr.), 270
De Wailly, Capt. Warnier (Fr.), 400
Dealy Isle, 535
Dean and Adams's revolver, 202
Deans, Com. Robert (2), 271
Deans, James AV'hitley (see Dundas, Ad-
miral James Wh itley Deans).
Dease, , 514
Decatur, Capt. Stephen (U.S.N.), 18, 19, 30,
41, 4.3, 44 n.-, 45, 46, 166-169, 176, 226
Dee, 271
Defeats not ofKcially published, 115 n.'
Delacombe (R.M.), Capt. Henry Edwards,
424 n.
Delafosse, Com. Edward Hullingworth, 227
and n.*
Delagoa Bay, 518
Delaware Bay, 96 ; River, 38, 69
Delight, 504
Delvigne-Minie ritle, 202
Demerara River, 53, 56 n.'
Denman, Capt. the Hon. Joseph, 306
Dent, Mate Edward Frederick, 330
Deptford, 187, 194, 195, 199
Deputy Controller of the Navv, 186
Derby", Earl of, 184 n.
Derrirnan, Lieut. Samuel Hoskins, 411,
432 n.-
Des Voeux, Lieut. Charles Frederick, 527,
529
Descartes, 400, 406, 440
Desertion, 17
Despard, Col., 348
Desperate, 420, 478, 485, 488-490, 498,
499
Detroit, 117
Detroit (ex Adams), 118-124, 126
Ilevustation, 147 n.', 470
Devonport, 199, 203, 205, 223
Dew, .Act.-Gunner John, 478 and n.^
Dew, Com. Roderick, 387 and n.', 478
Dewar, Gunner H. A., 370
D'Eyncourt, Capt. Edward Clayton T., 478
D'Herbinghem, Capt. de Poucques (Fr.),
400, 440
D'HiUiers, Genl. Paraguay, 421, 422
D'Hornov, Capt. Dompierre (Fr.), 440
Diahletv',23i, 268
Diadem,, 93
Diamond, 193, 200, 445 n.-, 504
Diana, 238, 242, 244-246
Diana (Dutch), 227, 228
Diana (Russian), 476
Dicey (I.N.), Capt., 288
Dick, Adniu-al Johu, 541
Dick, Capt. John, 271
Dickinson, Lieut. Charles, 147 n.'
Dickinson, Com. James (3), 173-175 and n.'
Dickinson, Capt. Richard, 260 and n.'
Dickson, R.-Ad. Sir Archibald CoUingwood,
538
Dickson, Lieut. David John, 227
Dickson, V.-Ad. Edward Stirling, 540
Dickson, Capt. Sir AVilliam, 288
Dido, 288, 300, 312, 314, 324, 325, 327,
328, 475 n.»
Didon, 37
Digby (R.M.A.), Capt. George Stephen, 468
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
563
Digby, Admiral Sir Henry, 224, 538
Diligi'nce, SOi)
Uilke, Lieut. Thomas, 207
Dillou, \'.-Ad. Sir William Heury, 545
Dinner hour, 21!l
Diogejies, 270
Diomede, 149 n.'
Director-General of the Medical Dejiartment
of the Navy, 187, 189
Discip ine, 4, 42, 43, 56, 178
Dixou, Com. Edward, 36t)
Di.\on, Lieut. John Stewart, 230
J)i.\on, Admiral Sir Manley, 53 n.', 223
Dixon, V.-Ad. JIaiJev Hall, 53 n.', 546
Dixon, Corpl. (U.S.Mar.\ 81
D'jebel, 314
Djcmetil, 435
D'joimie, 316, 317; Baj', 314
Dnieper, Liman of the, 469
Dobbs, Com. Alexander, 129 and n.^ 130
and n.-
Dobree, Lieut. Thomas Peter, 278 and n.-,
279
Dobnon, Admiral Man, 538
Dobson, Lieut. William Burdett, 240, 242,
243
Docemo, 371
Dockyards, Commissioners and Superinten-
dents of, 187
Dog River, 317
Dohertv, Sir R., 306
Dulphin, 305, 337-339, 341-344, 394
Dolphin (U.S.), 98
Doia Joiio, 267
Dom Miguel, 266, 267, 270
Dom Pedro, 265-267, 270
Dome Ness, 490, 499
Domett, Capt. George, 504
iJomville, Surg. Henry Jones, 403
Don River, 454
Donegal, 271
Donna Anna, 392 n.^
Donna Maria, 267
Donnelly, Surg. Samuel, 371
Donoobew, 240, 243, 245, 246, 383
Donop, Lieut. Kdward Pelhaui lirenton von,
323
Bores, 305
Dorothea, 507
Dorothy, 18;'.
Dorville, Cai)t. John William, 376, 384-386
Doughis, CajJt. the Hon. George, 170, 171
and n.^
Douglas, Com. the Hon. George H., 478
Douglas, Genl. Sir Howard, 203; quoted,
47, 108
Douglas, Genl. Sir James. 281 and n.''
Douglas, V.-Ad. Peter John, 546
Douglas, R.-Ad. Stair (2), 539
Dover, Packet station at, 203 n.'
Dover, 196
Dowell (R.M.A.), Lieut. George Dare, 215,
487, 489
Downey, Lieut. Jolin, 505
Downie, Com. George, 132-136, 138
Downes, Lieut. Henry, 269 and n.-
Downes, Lieut. John (U.S.N.), 106
Downman, Admiral Hugh, 540
Doyle, Com. Charles Francis, 342 and n.-
Dragon, 362, 413, 418, 478 and n.', 483,
488, 493, 496
Drake, 478 and n.', 504
Dress, 210-212
Drew, Com. Andrew, 237, 277
Driver, Master Thomas, 216 and n.-
Drirer, 349, 419, 424, 425, 478, 486
Droxford, 328
Druid, 219 u.^ 284, 285, 288, 289, 291,
294 and n.', 290
Drunnnond, Admiral Sir Adam, 540
Drnmmond, Capt. Francis, 266 and n.^
Drunnnond, Capt. the Hon. James Robtrt,
398, 399 n.', 400, 440
Drunnnond, (guardsman), 220
Prumsio Island, 494
Drunkenness, 217, 219
Drury, Mate Byron, 275
Dubernad, Cap't. (Fr.), 440
Duckworth, Adnural Sir John Thomas, 223,
231
Duckworth, Mrs., 218
Duff, R.-Ad. Archibald, 544
DutJ'erin, I^ord, 273 n.*
Duflill, John, 241
Duguesdin, 419
Duke of WeUinglon, 199, 200, 413, 415,
419, 478 and n.', 479, 495, 496
Duniaresq, Lieut. Henry, 306
Dunbar, Lieut. Charles Sidney, 333
Duncan, Lieut. Andrew, 32 n.'
Duncan, Com. Hubert, 317 and n.*
Dundas, I'.-Ad. the Hon. George Heneage
Lawrence, 186, 541
Dundas, \'.-Ad. Henry, 548
Dundas, Admiral James Whitley Deans,
205, 219, 224, 396-398, 404-412, 432
and n.^ 437, 438, 440, 443, 446-448, 466,
545
Dundas, V.-Ad. the Hon. Richard Saunders,
283, 288, 304, 473, 470-478, 480, 484,
488, 491, 493, 500, 548; quoted, 494,
496
Dundas, Tlie Hon. Robert, 186
Dundas!, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 5.39
Dmidas, Col., 201
Dundonald, Admiral the Earl of (Thomas,
Lord Cochrane), 205, 225, 253 and n.',
262-200, 541
Dunloj), Capt. Hugh, 393, 478
Dunlop, Com. Robert John Wallace, 32.1,
304
Dunn, R.-Ad. Sir David, 312, 547
Dunn, Captain's Clerk Juhn, 82
Dunn, Lieut. Montagu liuccleugli, 368
Dunnoo, 373, 375
Dunt/.e, Admiral John Alexander, 549
•2 () 2
564
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Diiparc, Lieut. (Fr.), 338
Duperre, 419, 422
Dupouy, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Duquesne, 477 n.
D'Urban, Sir Benjamin, 275
Durban, 308 and n.-
Durbin, Mate George, 330
Durliara, Admiral Sir Philip Charles Calder-
wood Henderson, 223
Dutch, 226, 228, 230
Dwarf, 504
Dwina Eiver, 498, 499
Diuina, 429, 475, 476
Dwyer (Mil.), Lieut., 353
Dyaks, 327
Dyer, Lieut. Henry Chai'les Penrose, 330
Dyer, Mate John George Fitzherbert, 368
Dyer, Master Eichard Cossantine, 478
Eagle (renamed Finch), 131
EagJe, 132 n.^ 133, 135-138, 140
Eaglet, 389
Earle, , 111
East India Company —
Aden purchased by, 279
Brooke in service of, 323
Burmese aggression ii gainst, 237
China War, List of vessels used in,
288
Dalrymple hydrographer to, 182
Eajah of Nanning at war with, 270
Steamships adopted by, 195
Vessels belonging to, 151, 176, 233,
243, 277, 278, 281, 282 n.^, 283, 285,
294, 300, 327, 329, 332, 335, 348,
351, 355, 357, 362, 372-375, 379,
380
East India Station, 225 and n., 347, 352
East Indies (see also Burmese War), 166,
175, 277
Eastern Archipelago, 323, 522
Easton, Surg. Eobert Tulloh, 481
Echo, 364
Eckford, Henry (Shipbuilder, U.S.), 112
Eckness, 417, 418, 499
Eden, Capt. Charles, 440
Eden, Admiral Henry (1), 187, 271, 549
Eden, Capt. Thomas Eodney, 212
Eden, 234
Edgar, 199 n.'
Edgell, Com. Harry Edmund, 361
Edgell, E.-Ad. Henry Folkes, 542
Edinburgh, 305, 310, 312, 317, 318 n., 319-
321 and n.^ 413, 415, 419, 422-424,
478 and n.', 494-496
Edye, John (Chief Asst. to Surveyors), 186,
199
Edye, Lieut. William Henry, 380, 391
Eendracht, 227, 228
Egerton, Com. Charles Eandle, 347, 349
and n.'
Egerton, Com. the Hon. Francis, 418
Egerton, Com. Francis Philip, 332, 349
Eglinton Island, 530
Egyptians, 309, 310, 312, 316-319, 321
Eisk (Gbeisk), 457
Ekins, Admiral Sir Charles, 538
Eleepoo, 303
Elena, 256
Elgsnabben, 416
Elibank, Baron, 326 n.'
Eliot, Lieut. Hugh Maximilian, 474
Eliot, E.-Ad. Eobert, 546
Eliza, 234
Ellenborough, Edward, Karl of, 185
Ellice, Capt. Alexander, 188
Elliot, Capt. Charles, 280-282, 284, 285,
287, 290-294
Elliot, Com. the Hon. Charles Gilbert John
Brydone, 312
Elliot, Admiral the Hon. George (3), 185,
193, 224, 226, 282-284, 288, 543
Elliot, Capt. George Augustus, 288
Elliot, Capt. George Augustus (2), 478
Elliot, Mate Eobert, 385
Elliot, Com. Eobert Hilley, 218 n.-", 313 u.";
quoted, 318, 319
Elliott, Master James Edward, 325, 333
Elliott, Com. Jesse D. (U.S.N,), 118, 119,
122, 123
Elliott (E.M.), Lieut. John, 377, 379
Elliott, Cajit. (U.S.K.), 127
Ellis (E.M.), Brevet Lieut. -Col. Samuel
Burdon, 283 n.', 304
Ellstob, Asst. Clerk T., 342
Elphinstone, 348
Elwin, Lieut. John, 175 n.'
Ekins, Capt. Charles, 227 and n.', 230
Encalada, Admiral Blanco (Chile), 263
Encounter, 387, 388, 475
Enderby's Land, 525
Endicot't, Master J. B. (U.S.), 354
Endymion, 27, 28, 157, 166-169, 213 n.',
288, 300
Enfield rifle, 202 and n.^
Engineer officers. Former rank of, 210
Engines fur steam propulsion. Types of, 202
Enslie, Mid^. James, 37 n.'
Enterprise (U.S.), 25, 89-91, 158
Enterprise (Arctic voyager), 230-232
Enterprise (H. E. I. Co.), 288, 374, 379
Enterprize, 284
Entreprenante, 213 n.*
Epanchin, Com. (1) (Russian), 256
Epanchin, Com. (2) (Eussian), 256
Epervier, 84, 159-161, 164
Epworth, Capt. Farmery Predam, 41 n.'
Erebus, Mount, 526
Erebus, 147 n.', 151, 176, 198, 200,505,
525, 527
Ericsson, John (Engineer), 196, 198
Erie, Lake, 109. 110, 113, 117-127, 277
Erie, 122
Ernaad, 278
Erne, 504
Erskine, Capit. John Elphinstone, 478, 480
I
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
565
Eiskiiie, Mr., IG
Ertliolm, 485
E$k, 478, 460, 481
Esmeralda, 263-265
Esrain(k-, Lieut., 265
EspiiijJe, 53, 56 and nil.'' -, 351 ii.*
Essex, 25-27, 31, 47, 100-103, 166
Essex Junior, 101, 102, 106
Ethersev (I.N.), Com. R,, 288
EtoHe,2Vin?
Etoush, Li< ut. Henrv Glailwell, 150 n.'
Eupatoria, 401, 40-!, '412, 446, 449, 450
Euryalus, 144, 147 n.', 199, 423, 478-480,
493 495 496
Eurydice,h'i, 428, 429, 431, 475 n.'
EvaiiB, K.-A(l. Aniliew Fitzherljert, 539
Evaus, Genl. Sir ile Lacy, 446
Evans, Frederick Julm O., 521, 537
Evans, Com. George, 237, 271
Evans, V.-Ad. Henry, 539
Evaus, Major Richard Lacy, 241
Evans, Major 'I'lioiaas, 242
Everest, Litut. Henry Bryan, 363
Excellent, 203
Excise and Customs' Service, 208
Exmoutli, Admiral Viscount, 223, 224,
226-231
Exmouth, 478 and n.', 484, 485, 496
Expcditive, 338-340 u.
E.\]ieDditurc on Navy (1816-1856), 190
Exiicrimental Squadron (1832), 270;
(18 J(i), 276
ExplDrations and Surveys, 181-183, 507-
Eyrc' V.-Ad. Sir Georg", 225, 538
Eyres, Capt. Henry, 288, 304, 305
Fablk, V.-Ad. Sir William Charles, 538
Factory Isle, 393
Fahie,'R.-Ad. William Charles, 225
Fairbairn, , 196
Fairhohne, Lieut. James Walter, 527
Fairy, 147 nn.''^', .505
Falcon, R.-Ad. Gordon Thomas, 169, 171 n.',
547
Falcon, Com. Maxwell, 349 and n.'
Falcon, 195 n., 478
Falkiiicr, Capt. Charles Leslie, 81, 83 and ii."
Falkland islands, 272, 520, 530
Falmouth Packets, 208 n.'
Fanagoria (Fanagorinsk), 4(!2
Fancy, -160 and n.', 4G1, 471
Fane, R.-Ad. I'Vancis William, 543
Fanlokong Creek, 357
Fanny, 337-339, 312-344
Fanshawe, Adndral Sir Arthur, 1S7, 225.
312, 323, 367
Fanshawe, Capt. Edward Gennys, 330, 478,
4H0, 481,488,489
Fanshawe, Capt. Robert, 187
Fanluinc, 360-361
Faru Scumd, 480
Farquhar, R.-Ad. Sir Arthur (1), 362, 363
and n.', 543
Farragut, Admiral David Glasgow (U.S.N.),
103 and n.', 105, 107
Famurite, 323
Fayal, 155
Febvrier-Desiwintes, R.-Ad. (Fr.), 429
Federalists, 7, 23, 24
Fdicidnde, 364
Felix, Cape, 516
Ve\\\ Harbour, 515
Fellowes, R.-Ad. Thomas, 255, 256, 258, 546
Felh.wes, Cora. AVilliam Abdy, 389, 390
Feretier, Com. (Pr.\ 256
Ferguson, R.-Ad. George, 517
Fernando Po, 367
Feroze, 375, 376
Festing, Lieut. Francis Worgan, 468
Field, Lieut. John Bousquet, 481, 405, 496
Finch (ex Eagle), 132 and n.-, 133, 136,
137, 141 n.'
Fincham, Mr., 193, 199
Finlaison, Mr., 210
Finland, Gulf of, 414, 41.">, 478, 480, 485
and u., 486, 499
Finnis, Com. Robert, 122 n.', 124
Fire Queen, 373, 374, 379, 380, 382
Finhrand, 3.!8, 339, 341-344, 405, 436,
437, 440, 443-445 n.^ 446 n.^ 472
Firefly, 394, 478, 483, 486, 490, 505
Finn, 468, 472
Fir me, 305
i'irme Union, 234
First Lords of the Admiralty, 184, 185
Fischer, Lieut. -Col., 116
Fisli Bay (West Africa), 363
Fishboume, Com. Edmund Gardiner, :572,
376, 386
Fisher, Surg. Alexander, 511
Fislier, Capt. Peter (1), 188
Fisher, Capt. Thomas, 418, 420, 478
Fisher, R -Ad. William, 312, 546
Fiteh, Lieut. Bultou (U.S.N.), 115
Fitzclarcnce, R.-Ad. Lord Adolphiis, 548
Fitzcoster, Joseph, 2(16
Fitzgerald, V.-Ad. Sir Robert Lewis, 540
Fitzgerald and Vcsey, Lord, 185
Fitzhardinge, .Vdmiral Earl (Maurice
Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley), 547
Fitzjamcs, Capt. James, 302, 50'', 527, .529
Fitzroy, Lieut. Ge.irge William Howe, 258-
260
Fitzroy, Capt. Robert, 317 and n.^ 319, 520
Fitzroy, AdTidral Lord William, 543
Flag, Honour of the, 215, 216; flags of
truce, 482, 490
tlnmer, 472, 505
Flccmin;.', Admiral the li^n. Charles Elphin-
Htone, 22:!, 224
Fleming, Com. lUchard Howell, 227, 229
Fletcher, Mids. F. R., 370
Fletcher, John Venoiir, 2H3 n.'
Flint (R.M.), Lieut. William Riclmrd, 98 n.«
566
ISDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Flogging, 216, 217
Florida, 65
Florida, lOS, iriS) n.
Fly, 522
Flying Fish, 193
Foley, Admiral Sir Thomas, 22.3
Fooc'how, 304, 352, 386, 388
Foote, Capt, John, 416 ii.'
Forbes, Master Charles Raguenau Peoco, 439
Forbes, Lieut. Frederick Edwin, 366
Forcas Tres, C;i])e, 391
Ford, Charles, 478 and n.^
Ford, Lieut., 26S n.«
Foreman, Lieut. John, 227, 230
Foreman, Boatswain Thomas, 478 and n.''
Formidahh; 275
Formosa, 296, 522
Forster, Master John T., 302
Forster, Mids. , 444
Fort Arabat, 454
Fort Bowver, 150
Fort Erie,' 1 18
Fort George, 113
Fort Nottich, 424
Fort Petrovslii, 460
Fort Eotchenholm, 489
Fort St. Kicholas, 399
Fort Sehlosser, 277
Fort Swartholm, 486
Fort Tzee, 424
Forte (Brit.), 199 n.^, 220 t^?
Forte (Fr.), 37, 429-431, 475 n.^
Forteau, Point, 193
Fosbroke (R.M.), Capt. Thomas Dudley,
424 n.'^
Foster, Com. Henry, 512, 514, 517, 521
Foster, Capt., 264 '
Fourichon, B.-Ad. (Fr.), 475
Foiirnaise, 493
Fowell, Act.-Guuner Richard, 478 and ii.-
Fowell, Mate William Newton, 268
Fowke, R.-Ad. George, 539
Fox, Cieorge, 10
Fox, Lieut. Maxwell, 496
Fox, 372-377, 379, 381-383
France —
Algier under suzeraintj- of, 303
Ami-rica, Attitude towards, in Napole-
onic wars, 4, 5, 9, 10
Argentine interests of, 337
Crimean War {see that title)
Frigates of, 27, 28
Ghent, Conyention of, 176 n.-
Harapton Village, Conduct of French
troo|'S at, 94 and n.^
Holland blockaded by Great Britain
and, 270
International Council of War at Paris,
473
Iron armour invented by, 198
Madagascar, Operations in, 345-346
Mexico, Operations in (1838-1839),
305
France — eontinved.
Navy of, in 1780, 1798, 1812, 178
Parana, Hostilities in the, 337-343
Slave-dealing abandoned by, 233 n.^
Treaty of London (1827) signed by,
252; attitude towards Treaty of
1840, 310 and n.'
Turkey, l^elations with (1840), 309
Fninkliu, Lieut. .Jolm, 150 n.'
Fnmklin, Capt, Sir John, 505, 508, 513,
528, 529
Franklin Relief Expeditions, 530-537
Eraser, Brig.-Genl. Hugh, 242
Eraser, Lieut. Thomas, 240, 241, 247
Frederica, 227, 228
Frederick, Capt. Charles, 288, 429, 475 n.'
Frederickshamn, 48S
Fredericksteen, 182
Fremantle, Admiral Sir Charles Howe, 458,
5l9
Fremantle, Com. Stephen Granville, 288
Fremantle, Y.-Ad. Sir Thomas Francis, 224
Friedland, 440
Friedrich, Capt. A. I. H. Archduke (Aus-
trian), 312
Friendly Islands, 323
Frigates —
American, 26, 28, 30, 34, 59, CO, 64,
100, 158, 159, 166, 172
British, 27, 29, 57, 60, 64, 65, 158
FroKc, 38-41, 105, 158, 159 and u., 163
Fulton, Master Robert, 288
Fulton, Robert, 198
Fulton, 176, 338, 339, 341, 343, 344, 462
Furieuse, 213 n.^
Furious, 399, 400, 401, 406, 409, 440, 450,
453 n.*, 472
Furneaux, Com. John, 504
Fury, 227, 357-359, 408, 504, 511-513
Fury Beach, 431, 513
Gabriel, 306
Gage, Admiral of ihe Fleet Sir William Hall,
213 and n,^ 224, 225, 539
Galapagos Islands, 520
Galatea, 41 and n.-, 299
Gallagher, Assist.-Surg. .John, 342
Gallinas Islands, 306, 364 ; River, 306
G.dlipoli, 399, 404
Gallito, 268
Galvarino, 263
Cralway, R.-Ad. Edward, 542
Gambia, 518
Gamla Carleby, 417, 499
Ganges, 208, 310, 312, 449 n.^
Gangoot, 256
Ganymede, 231
Gardner, Com. Alan Henry, 361, 367-369,
371, 478, 486
Garibaldi, Giuseppe, 337
Garland, Lieut. John, 124
Garrett, V.-Ad. Henry, 540
Gascoigne, Master's Mate William, 52 n.-
INDEX TO VOLUME 17.
567
Gaspar, Strait of, 232
Gassendi, 343
Gaussen, Lieut. Thomas Lovette, 444
Gebail (D'jebel), 314
Geisinger, Cominod. (U.S.X.), 355
General Armstrong, 155-157
Genesee River, 114
Geneste, Lieut. Louis, 481
Geuitchi, 454, 456, 459
Oenoa, 254, 256-258, 260
Georgia, 65, 94, 97, 142, 150, 151
Otorgiana, 449 n.^
Geyser, 478 and n.', 496
Glieislv (Eisk), 457
Glieisk-Liman, 463
Ghent, Convention of, 170 n.^
Ghumbir Singh, 249
Gibbard, JIate Leonard, 330, 331
Gibert, Pedro, 273
Gibraltar, 164, 226, 360-362, 391 ; Com-
missioners and Superintendents of, 188
Gibson, Lieut. Robert, 476
Giflard, Capt. George, 329, 331, 413, 416,
417, 467, 472
Gifi'ard, Mids. George, 404
Giffard, Capt. Henrv Wells, 283 n.', 288,
362, 400, 403, 404, 506
Gifi'ard, Admiral John, 538
Gilbert, Lieut. Edward Williams, 230
Giles, Master George, 489
Gill, Ma.'^ter's Mate G. P., 233
Gillbam, Master's Asst. H. M., 370
Gilolo, Strait of, 522
Gladiator, 51 n.', 424, 453 n.^ 472
Glasgow, 153, 154, 196, 199
Glasgow, 227-230, 256-258
Glasse, Com. Frederick Henry Hastings,
288, 416, 417, 478, 494
Glatton, 198
Gleaner, 199 n.», 478 and n.', 494
Gleiclicii, Admiral Covuil, 466 and n.
Oleudaloiigh, 449 n.'
Glcnelg, Lord, 185
Glotira, 460, 463, 404
Gloucester, 113
Glover, Lieut. Jobu Hawley, 381, 384
Glyn, Lieut. Henry Carr, 432 n.'
Glynn, Admiral Henry Richard, 539
Goble, Capt., 267 and n."
Goddard, Mids. Charles Ramsay, 356
Goderich, Viscount, 184 n., 185
Godfrey, Capt. William Mackenzie, 234
God's Mercy, Bay of, 5;!1
Godwin, Lieut.-Oul. Henry, 242, 245
Godwin, V.-Ad. Matthew, 543
Godwin, Lieut.-Genl., .'hI, 376, 380-382,
384 n.2
Golden Island, 301
Goldlinch, Lieut. George, 2-12, 244
Goldner, (Contractor), 529
Goldsmith, Capt. George, 187, 284, 288,
435, 440, 472
Good Hope, Cajie of, 170
Goodenough, Com. James Graham, 496,
523
Goodridge, Richard E., 243
Gordon, Com. .-Vle.\ander Crombie, 478
Gordon, R.-Ad. Charles (1), 545
Gordon, Lieut. David McDowall, 335
Gordon, Com. Edward, 505
Gordon, Capt. George Thomas, 413
Gordon, A'-.Ad. Henr.v, 543
Gordon, Lieut. Henry Cranmer, 155 and n.'
Gordon, Admiral Sir James Alexander (1),
144, 145, 147 and n.', 1 18, 187, 213, 543
Gordon, 11.- Ad. James jlurray, 545
Gordon, V.-Ad. the Hon. William (2), 224,
540
Gordon, Lieut. William Everard Alphonso,
353
Gore, Com. Graham, 517, 527, 529
Gore, V.-Ad. Sir John (2), 224, 225, 261
Gorelia, 461
Gorgo:i, 149 n.', 199, 200, 310, 312,316,
3'20, 337-339, 342, 344, 425, 478, 499
Gorman, James, 215, 419
Gottska S.ando, 415 and n.-, 416
Goubin, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Go\igh, Maj.-Genl. Sir Hugh, 290, 291, 293,
294, 296, 297, 300-303
Gould, Lieut. Nicholas, 504
Crowtosham, 358
Grabusa Island, 261
Graham, R.-Ad. Charles, 348 and n.', 440,
549
Graham, Et. lion. Sir James Robert George,
185, 189, 416, 421, 427
Graham, Com. John George, 268
Graham, .\dmiral Sir William, 367, 368
Graham's Land, 525
Grahamstown, 308
Grahan River, 327
Grand Canal (China), 301
Granger, V.-.Vd. William, 540
Granicus, 227, 228, 230
Grant, Rt. Hon. Charles (Lord Glenelg), 185
Grant, Commod. Charles, 225, 237, 238. 240,
242
Grant, Lieut. Daniel F., 251
Grant, Lieut. Henry James, 478 and n.-
Grant, Capt. Sir Richard, 305
Grant, Master's Mate Saumel, 37 n.'
Grant, Thomas T. (Controller of the Vic-
, tualling), 186
1 Ciranville, Capt., 266 n."
t Grappler, 478 and n.'
Graves, Lieut. Thomas (6), 182, 520
Graves, Cajit., 521
Great Rarricr Reef, 522
Groat Fish (Back) River, 516, 529
Great Ladrones, 282
Grcatlied, Lieut. George Herbert, 445 n."
Grecian, 361!, 387
Greeks, 219,251,303
(ircen, R.-Ad. Sir Andrew Pellet, 517
Greene, Capt. Pitt Burnaby, 48
568
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Greenlaw, 216
Greenpoint, 392 n.'
Greenway, Mids. George, 4tJ n.'
Greenwich, Models at, liiSn.^, 198 un. -■ '
Greer, Lieut. Thomas Harpur, 389
Gregg, Col., 307
Gregory, Lieut. Francis (U.S.N.), 116
Grenfell, J. Pascoe, 260
Grent'ell, Lieut. Sidney, 315
Oreta, 476
Greville, V.-Ad. Henry Francis, 440, 549
Grey, Com. Charles Conrad, 335, 336
Grey, Admiral the Hon. Sir Frederick
William, 288, 304, 425, 549
Grey, Capt. the Hon. Sir George, 187, 349
and u.^
Grey, V.-Ad. the Hon. George (2), 188,
259 n., 391, 549
Grey, Earl, 184 n., 189
Griffin, Lieut. Charles William Griffith,
116 n.2
Griffinhoofe, Com. Thomas Saville, 269
Griffith (later Colpoys), V.-Ad. Edward,
148, 224, 225
Griffith Island, 533
Griffiths, E.-Ad. Anselra John, 542
Grinder, 460 and n.^ 461, 463, 471 n.-,
473
Griper, 510, 512, 517
Grote, Lieut. Joseph, 249
Growler (re-named CViuhh), 114, 116, 131
Groichr (steam sloop), 364, 478 and n.'
Grvlls, Com. Charles Gerveys, 461, 465,
471
Guajara, 234
Gueriu, Capt. (Fr.\ 440
Guerriera, 312, 316, 320
Ouerriire, 31 n.*, 32-37 and n.', 41, 4 2, 59,
62, 83, 84, 86, 170, 171
Guiechau Island, 357
Guise, Capt. Martin George, 263-265
Gulfideh, 316
G ainare (Gleaner), 199 and n.'
Gunboats, American, 95, 96, 149-151
Guunell, Lieut. Edmund Hall, 325
Gunnery —
American, 37, 38, 4], 40, 51-54, 61,
63, 77,87, 134, 139, 159
British, 37, 38, 41, 47, .50-54, 77, 78,
87, 88, 134, 139, 151, 159, 165, 166,
173, 175, 179, 307 ; school of, founded
at Portsmouth, 203
Chinese and Tartar, 273, 297
Russian, 436
Gunning, Lieut. George W., 230
Guns, Types of, 201
Gustafvaard Island, 418, 493
Hackett, Lieut. John, 161 n.'
Haddington, Thomas, Earl of, 185
Hadji Samon, 334
Haggard, Com. Henry Vachell, 418, 487
Hailes, Gunner John, 459
Hailing, Genl. (Tartar), 302
Hainan, 355, 357
Haines (I.N.), Capt. J. B., 278
Haiphong, 358, 359
Haiti, 9, 10
Hale, Lieut. Henry George, 486
Half-pay, Scale of", 204
Halifax, 15, 17, 31, 37 u.-, 82, 148 and n.\
153, 171 n.^ 188
Halkett, Admiral Sir Peter, 205, 225
Hall, Capt. Basil, 14, 231, 521
Hall, Mate Heurv Hyde, 368
Hall, V.-Ad. Robert (1), 540
Hall, Capt. Robert, 402
Hall, Lieut. Roger, 227
Hall, Lieut. William Havhurst, 249 and n.*
HaU, R.-Ad. William liutcheon, 196, 285
and n., 287, 288, 290, 292, 298, 300, 413,
417, 418, 478
Hall, Capt. AVilliam King, 420, 425, 478,
484
Hall, Mids., 266 n.'
Halliday, V.-Ad. .lohn (John Richard Delap
Tollemache), 538
Hallowell, V.-Ad. Sir Benjamin, 224
Hallowes, Mids. Ramsay Henry, 325
Halstead, Com. Edward Pellew, 288
Hambley, Lieut. Andrew John Buckingham,
330
Hambley, Assist.-Surg. William Ellis, 392
Hamburg, 231
Hamelin, V.-Ad. Ferdinand Alphonse (Fr.),
396-398, 405, 410, 413, 432 n.^ 437, 438,
440, 448
Hamilton, Capt. Cospatrick Baillie, 392,
393, 458
Hamilton, Admiral Sir Edward, 539
Hamilton, Lieut. Francis Trevor, 461, 463,
464, 471 n.=
Hamilton, Capt. (iawen \\ illiam, 256, 261,
262, 504
Hamilton, Admiral Sir Richard Vesey, 533,
535, 536 ; quoted, 189
Hamilton, Capt. AVilliam Alexander Baillie,
185
Hamm, Boatswain, 344
Hammeliski, 499
Hanuuet, Com. Lacon L'ssher, 466
Hammond, Master's Mate Thomas, 52 n.-
Hamond, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Gr.ihara
Eden, 225, 540
Hampton Village, 94 and n.-, 151
Hanchett, Capt. John Martin, 93
Hancock, Com. George, 359, 360 and n.*
Hancock, R.-Ad. John (1), 544
Hancock, R.-Ad. Richard Turner, 545
Hand, Mids. George Sumner, 249
Hangchowfoo, 297, 298
Hango Head, 418, 425, 480, 481, 499
Hannibal, 425, 453, 471, 472 n.
Hauwell, R.-Ad. William, 540
Hanwell, Mids. P. G., 230
Hapsal, 488
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
569
Harbinger, 449 ii.-
Haidiman, Mids. Henrj', 1()3 n.'
IJurdwicke, 501
Hardy (R.M.), Capt. Henry, 238
Hardv, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas Masterman, GO,
:225, r)3il
Hardy, 471!
Hardy iiKU), K.-Ad. Lucius Ferdinand, 540
Hargood, Admiral Sir William (1), 223
Hargood, Com. AV'illiam (2), 271
Ilarte'juin, 212, 288, 326, 367, 368
Harmer, Mids., 364
Ihtrp,/, 344, 462
llarria; 275, 478, 485, 486, 490, 499
Harris, Sergeant (U.S. Mar.), 81
Harrison (H.M.A.), Capt. James H., 144 n.=
Hart, Capt. W. A. van der [Dutch], 227
Hariford Convention, 177 n.
Harvey, Admiral Sir Edward, 188, 205, 312,
546
Harvey, Master George B , 519 n.'
Harvey, Lieut. .John (4), 165 n.-
Harvey, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas (1), 225, 539
Harvev, Capt. Thomas (2), 217
Harvey, Mids., 284
Harvey Point, 284 n.
Hastings, Capt. Francis Decimus, .''.21 n."
Hastings, Com. the Hon. George Fowler,
326
Hastings, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 203, 549
IlasHnr/s, 312, 315-317, ■".57, 379, 478 and
n.', 494, 496
Hatton, R.-Ad. Villicrs Francis, 547
Havana, 268
llavannah, 217
Havock, 478 and n.'
Hawke, 478, 498, 499
Hawker, Admiral K<hvard, 543
Hawker, Lieut. John, 18:>
Hiiwkiiis, Lieut. Abel, 157
Hawkins, Mids. John, 2;J0
Hawkins, Caj.t. Richard, 32
HMwkins (U.IL), Capt. Samuel, 330, 333
Hawkins, Act.-Boatswain Thomas, 478
and n.*
Hawtayne, V.-Ad. Charles Sibthorpe Jolm,
545.
Hay, Capt. George James, 348 and n.^
Hay, Capt. Lord John (3), 211 and n.\ 416,
467
Hay, R.-Ad. Lord John, 187, 271, 276, 54s
Hay, Capt. John Charles Dalrymple, 315,
353-360 and n.-
Hay, Com. Robert, 227 and n.«, 50 1
Haydon, Act.-Boatswain Charles, 478 ami n.^
Hayes, Com. Courtenay Osborn, 3!9
Hayes, R.-Ad. John (1), 166-168, 193, 542
Hiiy«s, Cajit. Jolm (2), 276
Haves, Capt. John Montagu, 474 and n.*
Ikizard, 288, 312, 318 n., 319, 320, 332,
347-3.|!»
Heard, Lieut. Thomas, 327, 330, 331
Uearne, William, 44 n."
Heath, Com. Leopold George, 333, 334, 368,
399 n., 403, 405, 440
Heathcote, Capt. Edmund, 478, 489
Hcathcotc, Admiral Sir Henry, 539
Hearty, 5o4
Ilehrus, 144 n.^ 151, 213 n.', 227, 228, 230
Hecate, 263, 312
Heda, 227, 41.3, 417, 418, 420, 424, 510-512,
514, 518
Hecia and Fury Strait, 511, 512
Hecla Cove, 514
Hector, 352
Heiden, K.-Ad. Count de (Russian), 253,
254, 256, 258
Heki, Chief, 347, 348
Helbv, Lieut. John Hasler, 505
Helsi'ngf.irs, 416, 488,491
Hcnb)', Lieut. J. D. (L'.S.N.), 57 n.
Henderson, R.-Ad. Robert, 544
Henderson, Com. Thomas, 312
Henderson, Cajit. Wiliiam Houeymau, 305,
312, 316, 323
Henderson, K.-Ad. William Wilmot, 312,
323 548
Heu'ley, Capt. Kobert (U.S.N.), 132 n.^
Henniker, K.-Ad. the Hon. Major Jacob,
544
TIeuri IV., 440, 449
Henry, Lieut. Arthur Robert, 319
Her Majesty, 449 n.''
Herald, 287-290, 292, 295, 530
Herbert, Lieut. Francis Bland, 496
Herbert, the Hon. Sidney, 185
Herbert, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 215, 287-289,
291, 304, 548
Hercuk, 419
Hermes, 150, 372-375
Herraione, 213 n.'
Heron, 227 •
Herschcl, Cape, 529
Heseltine, Lieut. Albert, 346
llewett, Lieut. Henry, 468
Hewett, Capt. William, 505
Hewett, V.-Aii. William Nathan Wriglile,
215, 446, 447, 449, 459, 460
Hewitt (LN.), Lieut. W. IL, 288
Hewlett, Capt. Richard Strode, 203, 413,
423, 478, 494
Hicks, Lieut. William, 132 n.'^
lliqhilyer, 400, 102, 4;!5, 440, 451, 453 n.*
Hill, V.-Ad. Henry, 541
Hill, R.-Ad. Sir John (2), 548
Hill, Capt. Sir John, 188
Hill, Major, 381
Hillvar, Cajit. Charles Farrcl, 369, 472
Hillvar, Com. Henry Sh.ank, 330, 370, 371
aiid n.', 380 and n.-, 384
Hillyar, R.-Ad. Sir James, 101, lUS, 543
//hiialiii/a, 199 and n.'
//(■«./, 219 and n.», 25t;, 259
Hinde, liugli Alan, 384
llislup, Lieut.-Genl., 48 n.», 52
Ho, Governor, 357
570
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Hoare, R.-Ad. Edward Wallis, 5-46
Hubait, Lieut, tlie Hon. Augustus Charles,
493
Hobart Pasha, 5
Hobson, Capt. William, 3-17
Ilockin, Lieut. Charles Francis, 31() n.'
Hockings, Paymaster Thomas, 371
HodJer, Henry, 241
Hodges, Lieut. Thomas, .50.j
Hodgkinson, Mate C. E., 283 n.'
Hodgson, V.-Ad. Brian, 544
Hodgson, Lieut. George Henrv, 302, 527
Hoflman, Lieut. (U.S.X.), 172
Hoftmeister, Master George B., 288
Hugland, 4S9
Jlocjue, 413, 415, 419, 422 n.^ 424, 47S
Hoikow, 355, 357
Holland, 28, 270
Holland, R.-Ad. John Weutworth, 544
HoUis, V.-Ad. Aiskew Paftbrd, 539
Holmes, Boatswain James, 46 n.'
Holmes (E.M.), Lieut. Ponsonby Boss, 480
Holmes, Com. William (2), 504
Holtoway (B.M.), Capt. William, 116 n.=
Holyhead, Packet station at, 208 n.'
Home, Capt. Sir James Everard, 275, 288,
301, 347, 348
Hong Kong, 153, 281, 287, 291, 293-296,
304, 353-355, 357, 359, 3S9, 531
Honvmau, Admiral Robert, 540
Hood, Mids., 513
Hooker, Sir J. D., 525
Hope, R.-Ad. Charles (2), 188, 548
Hope, Lieut. David, 42, 43, 4.5, 46 n.', 159
Hope, Admiral Sir Henry, 157, 166-168,
546
Hope, Capt. James, 338, 341-343
Hope, Lieut. Thomas (1), 505
Hoppuer, Com. Henrv Parkyns, 501, 503,
510-512
Horatio, 198
Horn, Com. Philip Thicknesse, 227 and n.",
230
Hornby, Lieut. Frederick John, 527
Hornb}-, Sir Geofl'rey, cited, 45.3
Hornby, Admiral Sir Pbipps, 225, 516
Hornet, 25, 27, 30, 4S, 53-56, 75, 158, 159,
166, 173-175
Horton, Lieut. Frederick Wilmot, 325, 326
Horton, R.-Ad. Joshua Sydney, 540
Horton, Com. William, 456, 460 and n.'
Hoseason, Com. John Cochrane, 349, 353
Hosken, Com. James, 478
Hospitals, Naval, Inspector-General of, 186
Hossey, 269
Hoste, Capt. Sir William Legge George,
213, 335, 388
Hot shot, 133, 401, 428
Hotham, Capt. Charles, 338, 339, 342-
345 n.-
Hotham, Com. the Hon. George Frederick,
505
Hotham, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Henry, 224
Hough, Com. John James, 288
Hound, 505
Houston, Capt. Wallace, 212, 429, 475 n.»
Hovas, 346
Howard, Lieut.Edward Hen ly, 431
Howard, Master's Mate Thomas, 230
Howe, Lord, 213 n?
Howell, Com. Joseph Benjamin, 227 and n.°
Howgua's Fort, 290 and n.'
Hudson, Lieut. Joseph Samuel, 401, 463,
464, 471, 506
Hudson's Bay, 511
Hugon, Capt! (Fr.), 256, 258
Hull, Capt. Isaac (U.S.N.), 12 n., 30, 32-38 ;
GeuL, 117
Humble, Boatswain James, 52 n.-
Hiunpbreys (.see Davenport)
Hunn, Capt. Frederick, 218
Himt, Lieut. James, 316 and n.-, 325
Hunt, Act.-Gunner Josiah, 478 and n.^
Hunter, Lieut. Charles Newton, 504
Hunter, 117, 120-124, 126
Hurd, Capt. Thomas, 182, 183, 188
Hurdle (R.M.), Capt. Thomas, 338, 342
Hurlburt, Mr., 151
Huron, Lake, 109, 128
Huskisson, Rt. Hon. William, 185
Hussey, V.-Ad. Sir Richard Hussey, 539
Hurt, Lieut. Albert Frederick, 468 and u.'
Hutton, Capt. Frederick, 270, 414
Hwang, Admiral (Chi.), 355, 357, 358
Hyacinth, 281-282, 284, 285, 288, 296, 297
and n., 363
Hyderabad, Treaty of, 279
Hydra, 312, 310, 367
Hydrographer to the Admiralty, 182, 188
Hyperion, 265
InR.\HiM Pasha, 253, 254, 257, 259, 262,
309, 317, 318, 322
Icarus, 208
Icy Cape, 513
Imoqenc, 273, 505
Impcrieuse, 199 n.^ 413, 420, 427, 478, 499
Imi ey, V.-Ad. John, 544
Implacable, 312, 313 n.-
Impregnahlc, 22
i30
Impress Service, 208
Impressment — of Americans, 4, 5, 12, 15, 21 ;
of British, 8
Inconstant, 193, 200
Indagadera, 272
Independencia, 264
Indian Navy, 384
Indians (American), 110 n.*, 122
I Infernal, 227, 230
Inflexible, 349, 353, 419, 435, 446
I lugestrie, Capt. Viscount, 220, 256 and n.^
' Inglefield, Capt. Edward Augustus, 338,
342, 472, 530
Inglefleld, R.-Ad. Samuel Hood, 226, 337,
545
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
571
Ingoueville, George, 487
Ingoueville, Capt. of the Mast Joliu, lilo
Ingram, Lieut. William, 105
Injul River, 470
lulcerman, Battle of, 449
Inniaii, Prufessor, li)3
Inspector-General of Naval HoJiiitals and
Fleets, 18G
Insurance, Hate of, 154
Intrepid, 506, 532, 535
Investigator, 505, 530-532, 535
Ionian Islands, 182
Irawadi Hiver, 238, 240, 245-248, 378, 379
Irby, Com. the Hon. Charles Leonard, 251
Irbv, H.-Ad. the Hon. Frederick Paul, 511
Iris, 332, 334-335
Irish Channel, 153, 154, 158, IGl
Irviuc, Lieut., 124
Irviug;, Mr., 118
Isabella, 507, 508
here, 216
his, 261, 202
Ister, 229
Izzet Pasha, 318
• JacM, 393
Jackdaw, 478, 499, 505
Jackson, Andrew, 151
Jackson, Lieut. John (3), 504
Jackson, V.-Ad. Hubert (2), 513
Jackson, H.-Ad. Samuel, 545
Jacksou, \V., 2G0
Jago, Lieut. John Sampson, 230
Jamaica, 57, 148 and n.^ 235
Jame-i, Lieut. Robert Bustard, 505
James, William, quoted, 166, 177 n.
James, Boatswain, 3S9
Jams Watt, 199 n.', 419, 478
Jamieson, Charles, 355, 356
January, W., 266
Jamis, 362
Japan and China Seas, 429-432
Jardine, Mids. John, 230
Jason, 458
Jasper, 460 and n.', 461, 504, 505, 506
Java, 47-53, 62, 84, 87, 170, 171
Jean Bart, 440
Jefterson, Thomas, President, 6, 7, 11', 20,
23, 65, 72, 95
Jeheune, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Jemmapes, 419
Jenkins, Mid-i. Robert, 302, 325, 327
Joaquina, 273
Joehmus, Genl., 315, 317
Johnson, Mils. C, 327
Johnson, Com. Charles Hicliardson, 50i!
Johnson, ALaster Ceorge, 409 anil n.'
Johnson, Assist.-Surg. John Felix, 381, 384
Johnson, Com. John Ormsliy, 446
Johnston, V.-Ad. Cliarles James, 545
Johnston, Com. Frederick Krskine, 352
Johnston, Lieut. Frederick John, 230
Johnstone, Com. Ge<irge James llcipe, 251
Johnstone, Admiral Sir William James
Hope, 218, 548
JoUitfe, Lieut. William Kynaston, 393
Julli/ Jla':/ielor, 325, 327
Jones, H.-Ad. the Hon. Alexander, 54C
Jones, JLaster's Mate diaries, 52 n.''
I Jones, Sir Harry, 474
' Jones, Capt. Jacob (U.S.N.), 38, 40
' Jones, Com. Jenkin, 504
I Jones, Capt. Lewis Tobias, 3C8-371, 400,
402, 433, 436, 440
I Jones, Act.-Boatswain Richard, 478 and n.^
Jones, Lieut. Thomas Ap Catesbv (U.S.X.),
149
Jones, Brig.-Genl., 424, 425
Jones Sound, 509
Josepha, 268
Josling, Lieut. John James Stephen, 352
Joven Carolina, 276
Joven Emilia, 362
Jowett, David, 266
Julia, 114, 116, 504
Junk Hiver, 295
Junks with paddle-wheels, 299
Junon, 95, 98
! Jupiter, 288, 295 n., 297, 298 n.\ 299 n.,
300, 440
Kakka Bay, 409
Kaffir War, First, 275
Kalamata, 251
Kaluka Hiver, 363
Kamchatka, 430-431
Kamiesli Bay, 435, 453
Kamiesh Bournow, 453
Kaniiesliwa, 459
Kaiidalak Gulf, 474
Kani/aron, 505
Kano, 519
Kansiala Bay, 482
Kaiitzovv, Lieut. Herbsrt Piiilip de, 392
Karamania, 182, 310
Karaugan, 328
Karorarika (Russell), 317
Kateha, 412, 419; River, 403, 411
Katon, V.-Ad. James, 541
Kavarna, 399, 403, 406, 403
Kawakawa Hiver, 318
Kawiti, 317-348
Keane, Com. the Hon. George Disnoy, 387
Kcdging, 33, 135, 139
Keele, Lieut. Charles, 242, 243, 245
Kecle, Mids. Edward, 52 n.''
Keeshea, Commis., 284
Kolch Moodah, Chief, 394
Kollaway, Boatswain Joseph, 215
Kellott, Capt. Augustus Uonrv, 242-245,
248 and n.'
Kcllett, Capt, Monrv, 288, 299, 301, 508,
,522, 530, .535, 536
Kelly, Liout.-Col. II. M., 211
Kelly, Capt. John, 387
Kelly, dipt. William, 345
572
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Kemniendale, 238
Kemmendine, 2-40, 243, 244, 376
Kerapthorne, Capt. William, 227 and n.''
Kenah, Com. Richard, 147 n.", 148 n.'
Kenilworth, 448
Kennedv, Lieut. Charles Doyle Bucklev,
380, 383
Kennedy, Capt. John James, .346, 463-465
Kennedy, Lieut. .John William Alexander,
330
Kennedy, Capt. Thomas Fortesque, 188
Kent, Lieut. Bartholomew, 36, 37 n.'
Kentucky, 8, 23
Keppel, Admiral of the Fleet the Hon.
Henrv, 269 n.*, 270, 275, 288, 324-328,
353, 413, 466
Kerdraiu, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Kerets, Cape, 475
Kerr, Capt. Alexander Kohert, 172
Kerr, Com. Henry Ashburteai, 506
Kerr, Master James, 31 and n.'
Kerr, V.-Ad. Lord Mark Eobert, 539
Kertch, 404, 447, 453-458
Ketturhee, 379
Kev, Admiral the Rt. Hon. Sir Astley
Cooper, 338, 342, 413, 414, 416, 467,
468, 478, 495
Keying, Commis., 351
Kherson, 470, 473
Khersonese, Cape, 406, 408
Kidd, Lieut. Thomas Osborne, 459
Kiel, 414, 426, 427
Kinburn, 469-474
Kins, xVdmiral Sir Edward Durnford, 224,
541
King, Lieut. George Morrison, 230
King, Capt. George St. Vincent, 437, 446,
466
King, Lieut. Henry Bartlett, 496
King, R.-Ad. the Htn. James William,
546
Kins, Com. Philip Parker, 519
Kina, Richard, 30S
King, Y.-Ad. Sir Richard (2), 224, 225, 233
King, Com. Richard Henry, 278
Kmg, Dr., 516, 530
King William Island, 516
King WilHam Land, 528, 529
Kingcome, Capt. John, 288
Kingsbur\-, Boatswain's Mate, 106, 107
Kingsley, Lieut. Gerald, 329
Kingston (Ontario), 112, 115, 116 n.>
Kinnaird, Lieut, the Hon. Graham Hay St.
A', de Ros, 505
Kio, 474
Kiril, 461
Kirije, 461
Kiskulla, 482
Kiten, 458
Kitty, 241
Kiimgchau, 357
Kjoge Bay, 414, 415
Knox, Mids. J. M., 251
Kokonovitch, Genl. (Russian), 472
Kola, 429
Kolangsoo, 284, 294, 304
Konieh, 309 n.
Konnoughee, 378
Kornet Sherouan, 317 and n.'^, 318
Korniloff, Admiral (Russian), 445
Korshamn Fiord, 490
Korsoren Beacon, 490
Kossoria, Bight of, 499
Kotka Island, 489
Kounda, 487
Kowloon, 281
Krabbe, Master Frederick J., 535
Kroomen, 370, 394
Kuching (Sarawak), 325 n.'
Kudrinfsky, Lieut. Ludvig von (Austrian),
312
Kummeroot, 240
Kungs Sund, 496
Kuper, Capt. Augustus Leopold, 283 n.',
284, 288, 304, 394
Kurrachee, 279
Kutais, 402
Kwan, Admiral (Chinese), 281, 282, 289
Kwangchow, 301
Kvnaston, Com. Augustus Frederick, 440,
444
La Bretoxniere, Capt. Botherel de (Fr.),
256
La Graviere, Admiral Jurien de (Fr.), 85 ;
quoted, 61-63
La Uouge, 128
La Riviire, Lieut, de (Fr.), 338
Labrador, 193
Lahrador, 440
Labrousse, Capt. (Fr.), 470
Labuan Island, 335
Lady Prevost, 117, 121, 122 and n.', 124, 126
Latibn-Ladebat, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Lagos, 267, 364, 365, 367, 368, 371, 393
Lame, R.-Ad. (Fr.), 337
Laird, ilessrs., 195, 196, 199, 519 n.^
Lake, V.-Ad. WiUoughby Thomas, 225
Lalan.le, R.-Ad., 309
Lamourelle, Capt. Fabre (Fr.), 440
Lambert, Admiral Sir George Robert, 372,
373, 375, 376, 378, 379, 382, 384, 548
Lambert, Capt. Henry, 48, 50-52 and
nn.^' '
Lambert, V.-Ad. Robert Stuart, 538
Lambert, Com. Rowley, 381-384, 460, 464
Lambert, Mids. William Leigh, .302
Lamyat Islands, 354
Lancaster Sound, 509, 510, 514
Lander, Richard, 519
Lane, Lieut. Frederick, 329
Lang, Jack, 40
Lang, Oliver, 193 and n.'
Langenburg, Lieut. Prince Victor of
Hobenlohe (Admiral Count Gleichen),
466 and n.
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
573
Lapidge, Com. William Frederick, 276
Larcom, Capt. Joscjih, 188
Lark, 478 and n.', 494, 49(1
Lame, 193, 237, 238, 240, 24], 245-247,
250, 280, 282 D.^ 284, 285, 288
Lassusse, V.-Ad. de (Fr.), 396
Lauderdale, Admiral Anthony Maitland,
Earl, 545
Laugharne, Com. Thomas Lamh I'olden,
32 and n.'
Laurencin, Capt. (Fr.), 415
Laurie, Admiral Sir Robert, 539
Lautaro, 204
Lave, 470
Law (K.M.), Lieut. John, 80, 145
Lawrence, Cai)t. James (U.S.N.), 30, 48,
53, 54, 56, 75, 76, 78-80, 82
Lawrence, Capt. John, 312
Lawrence (U.M.A.), Capt. Joseph Edward
Wilson, 493
Lawrena; 105, 120, 122-127
Laws, Capt. John Milligan, 271
Layton, Com. Henr}-, 365
Lazaret, Cajit. (Russian), 256
Le Hardy, Mate Thomas Philip, 209 and n.^
Le Mesurier, Lieut. Gr. B., 321 n.'
Le Vescomte, Lieut. Henry Thomas Dundas,
527
Leauder, 14-16, 171, 172, 227, 228, 230,
437, 440
Lebanon, 311-313 n.'
Lcckie, Lieut. Cliaries Taylor, 369
Lecointe, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Ledsuud, 421
Lee, Lieut. William Frederick, 478 and n.-
Leech, Samuel, quoted, 43 and n.'
Leeke, Admiral Sir Henry John, 548
Leet, Lieut. Henry Kno.x, 468 and n.'
Legge, The Hon. Henry, 186
Leith, Il.-Ad. John, 548
Lemma Islands, 353
LeojHird, 18, 19, 413, 416, 417, 450, 451,
453 n.', 472
Leopold, King, 270
Leotung, 390
Lepanto, Gulf of, 523
Lett, Lieut. Stephen Joshua, 242, 243, 249
and n.'
Letters of marque, 98
Levant ))iracy (.«■<; under Piracy)
Levant, 170-173
Leven, 518
Leveret, 276
Levinge, Com. Reginald Thomas John, 338,
339, 342
Lewis, Capt. John Mason, 180-188
Lewis, Rt. Hon. 'I'homas Frankland, 185
Liamtsi, 474
Libau, 415, 416n.», 482, 499
Libraries, Ships', established, 210
Liddell, Sir John, 187
Liddon, Lieut. Matthew, 510
Lieutenants, Superanmiati(ai scheme for, 206
Liffey, 199 n.-, 238, 240, 242, 250
LiijIUnitifj, 416, 419, 420 and n.=, 478 and n.',
488, 537
Lilla Svarto, 493
Liman of the Dnieper, 464, 4()9, 471
Lin, Connuissioner, 280, 281
Lindquist (Bombay Mar.), William, 244
Linn, William, 481
Linnet, 132 n.^ 1.33, 134, 136, 138-141 n.',
394
Lintin, 285
Liu-tin Island, 231
Lipsia, 312, 320
Lissa, 213 n."
Little, Lieut. Alexander, 334
Little, Lieut. John (2), 504
Little Belt, 22 and n.', 117, 121, 122 and n.",
124, 126
Little Cavnian, 275
Little W'iUiam, 307
Littlehales, V.-Ad. Bendall Robert, 540
Littlehales, Lieut. Edward, 305
Lively, 478 and n.'
Livermore, Rev. Samuel, 81
Liverpool, 153, 154, 208 n.'
Liverpool, Earl of, 184 n.
Liverpool, 199 u.^ 234
Livingstone, Admiral Sir Thomas, 540
Lizard, 344, 505
Lloyd, Com. George, 165
Lloyd, Lieut. Henry, 440
Lloyd, V.-Ad. Robert, 155, 156, 540
Lloyd, Thomas (Chief Engineer), 188
Lloyd's, American notice sent to, 153
Loango, 275
Loch, Adndral Francis Erskine, 234, 547
Loch, Capt. Granville George, 302, 349-351
and n.', 379, 380 and n.^ 383 and n.^
Lockyer, Capt. Nicholas, 149, 150 and n.',
271
Lockver, Act. Com. William Nicholas Love,
354
Locust, 478 and n.', 498
Loddcr, Lieut. Charles Arthur, 151
Lodwich, Lieut. John, 364
Logotelli, Lieut. Peter (Austrian), 312
Lomax, Mate George Gordim, 389
London, Treaty of (1840), ;U0
Loudon, 139, 440, 442-445, 449
Loney, Lieut. l{obert, 272
Long Island Sound, 176
Longfellow, 91
Lonsdale, Karl of, 185
Loo Cho'j Islands, 521
Lord High Admiral, 184
Lord /lut/lan, 1 19 u.
Lord William Jlcntinck, 380, 381
Lorient, 86, 164
Loring, Admiral Sir Jnhn Wentworth, 541
Loring, Capt. William, 399, 400, 440, 472
Losack, Capt. Woodley, 41
LoSBOH of British Navy, 501-506
Lottery, 98 and n.'
574
INDEX TO VOLUME
Louis (R.M.), Capt. Charles, 484
Louis, Admiral Sir John, 187, 188, 544
Louis Philippe, King, 270
Louisa, 274, 284, 2S:8, 291, 202, 294, 367
Lovisa, 487 ; Gulf, 486
Lowder (R.M.), Capt. Samuel Ketterville,
489
Lciwdon, Mids., 230
Lowe, Lieut. Frederick, 351 n.*
Lowjee I'^imUi/, 278
Lowther, Lieut. Marcus, 330
Lowther, Kt. Hon. William, Viscount, 185
Luard, Com. William Oarnham, 357, 372,
373, 375, 376
Lucas, Mate Charles Davis, 215, 420
Luce, Com. John Proctor, 440, 474
Luci/cr, 419. 454
Luckraft, Lieut. Charles SLaxuell, 391, 392,
495, 496
Ludlow, Lieut. Augustus Charles (U.S.N.),
80, 82
Lujieol, Cajit. (Fr.), 440
Luieol, K.-Ad. (Fr.), 440
Lumlev, Capt. John Richard, 57 n., 97, 167,
233"
Lumpar Bay, 422
Lupar River, 327
Lurt, Major, 349
Luscombi', Mids. , 317
Lushington, R.-Ad. Sir Ste])hcn, 435, 440
n., 446, 458 and n.', 466, 549
Lyai, 326
Lyall, Dr. David, 524
Lyp, R.-Ad. William Jones, 544
Lyne River, 245
Lynx (re-named Musjvedohet), 98 and n.*
Lyns, 199 n.'", 435, 440, 443, 453 n., 462,
472
Lvon, Capt. George Francis, 268 n.\ 511,
"512
Lvon, Lieut. Uenry Thomas, 302, 353
Lvons, V.-Ad. Edmund, Lord, 205, 224
"and n.', 262, 398, 401, 402, 408, 412,
434, 440, 443, 448, 453, 465, 466, 470-
474, 503, 547
Lyons, Capt. Edmund Moubrav, 353, 360
'and n.i, 361, 428, 429, 454, 457, 458 and
n.- ; quoted, 429, 454, 456
Lyra, 231, 521
Lysaght, R.-Ad. Arthur, 545
Lyster, Cajit. Henry, 330, 331, 368-371
Macahe, 392
Macao, 280, 281, 284, 293, 294, 353, 355,
386 ; Channel, 290, 205 ; Rivcr, 388
Macdonald, ■ — , 315
Macdonou'^h, Capt. Thomas (U.S.N.), 131-
136, 138-141, 158
Macedonian, 41-47, 62, 84, 265
Macfarlane, Master George Alexander, 489
Macinaw Fort, 128
Mackau, R.-Ad. de (Fr.), 270
Mackav, V.-Ad. the Hon. DonaKi Hugh,
271,"544
Mackellar, Admiral John, 540
Mackenzie, Com. Donald McLecd, 424, 425
Mackenzie, Com. John Francis Campbell,
429, 456 and n.\ 457, 465
Mackenzie, Mr. Murdoch, 181 and nn.'- -,
182
Mackenzie, Professor, 181 and n.'
Mackenzie River, 513, 514
Mackinnon, Lieut. Lauchlan Eellinuham,
344, 345
Maclcod, Lieut. John Lyons, 505
Madagascar, 345, 346, 366
Madar/ascar, 282 n.-, 288, 289 n.-, 291, 305
Madalena, Lieut. Peter (Austrian), 312 ,
Madden, Lieut. Charles, 505
Madden, Mids. Charles (2), 444
Madeira, 169
Madison, President, 6, 23, J44, 154
Madias, 153, 237, 245, 374
Mssander, 353, 474
Magellan, 440
Mai;ellan's Strait, 519
Magicienne, 199 n.'*, 270, 312, 418-420
and n.^ 478 and n.', 480, 482, 485-489,
493, 496
Magnet, 472
Magnetic jole discovered, 516
Magpie, 478 and n.', 494, 504
Mahanuddy, 378, 379, 381, 382
Make, 278, 279
Mahmoud, Sultan, 309, 310
Maidstone, 98
Maine, 89, 91, 148, 151
M.iinprise, Master William Thomas, 439
I Maitland, Admiral the Hon. Anthony (Earl
Lauderdale), 327 and n.', 545
Maitland, R.-Ad. Sir Frederick Lewis (2),
187, 226, 277, 279, 288, 294, 541
Maitland, R.-Ad. John (2), 539
JIaitland, Com. Lewis, 315 and n.'
Maitland, Capt. 'Jhomas, 279, 262, 283
and n.', 288, 304
Maitland, Com. William, 332
Muilland, Lieut. AViUiam Heriot, 288
Majestic, 166-168, 419
Majico-Sima Islands, 522
Mdlahar, 271
Malacca, 203 u.
Malacca Strait, 275
Malagasy, 345, 346
Malays, 232, 270, 2?6, 324-327, 333, 334,
363, 393, 394
j Malcolm, V.-Ad. Sir Charles, 543
Malcolm, Lieut. Georse John, 478 and n.''
Malcolm, V.-Ad. Sir Pultenev, 148 n.^ 224,
270, 271
Malheureux Island, 149
Maling, V.-Ad. Thomas James, 540
I Malluda Bay, 330-331
[ Malta, 188, 361, 396
Maluinas, 272
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Ota
Mambacoot River, 334
Mainee, 355
Man-ofwar brigs, American, 158
Manbv, R.-Ad. Thomas, 540
M<i,ihii, 144 n.=, 149 n.', 478 and n.'
Mauessi, Lieut. Peter (Austrian), 312
Mangin, R.-Ad. Reuben Cailland, 545
M:inipur, 249
Manners, Com. William, 161-163 and n.',
179
Man.sel, Capt. George, 312, 316 and n.'
Mansell, Capt. Sir Thomas (1), 312, 322
Mansell (R.M.), Lieut. WilUam Munsell, 330
ManslieUi, Com. Walter George, 366 and n.-
Man.son, Lieut. George, 266 and n.*
Manthorp, Mate Charles William, 429
Maples, R.-Ad. John Fordyce, 87, 88 and n.'
Marauhao, 365, 366
March, G., 266
Marengo, 440
Maria Anna, 312
Maria Isabel, 263
Marianna, 269
Marincritti, 269
Mariopol, 457, 460, 463
Marmorice Bay, 322
Marocco, 361
Marrvat, Capt. Frederick, 237, 238, 240-242,
247 and n.', 249
Marryat, Com. Joseph Henry, 463-465. 471
Marshall, Com. Edward, 370, 371 aud n.-,
429
Marshall, Capt. James, 203
Marshall, R.-Ad. Sir John (2), 52 n.^ 547
Marshall, Lieut. Sampson, 148 u.'
Marshall, Surg. William Barrett, 519 n.*
.Martabau, 242, 243, 273-376, 379, 382
Martka, 'Sib
Martin, Lieut. Cornwallis Wykeham, 495,
49fi
Martin, Admiral Sir George B., 223
.Martin, Capt. George Bohun, 256 and n.'
Jlariin, Admiral Sir Henrv Bvaiii, 312, 314,
323, 426 n.', 466, 549 "
Martin, Admiral Sir Thomas Byam, 185,
186, 213, 516
Martin, Admiral William Fanshawe, 548
.Martin, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Martin, 96, 504
Martin Garcia, 339
Martini} de Freitas, 267
M in/ Adeliiw, 394
.Maryland, 67, 69, 92, 91, 142, 144, 151
Jlason, V.-Ad. Sir Fiancis, 544
Ma.soti, Surg. Richanl Denton, 444
Ma-on, Com. 'Ihomas Llenry, 283 and n.',
288, 297
Mason, Lieut. William Bruce, 330-382
Massachusetts, 67, 272
Massiu, Cajit. (Fr.), 440
Masters, rank of, 210
Mastheading, 220, 221
Mastiff, 478 and n.', 523
Mata, 235
Materiel of navy in 1813 and 1817, 204
Mathews, Lieut. Edward Morrell, 333
Matilda, 277
Matson, Mate Llenry James, 273
Matson, Admiral Richard, 540
Mat'erface, Lieut. William, 156 and n.
Matthews, I/ieut. Henry Bathurst, 240
Matthias, Clerk Thomas Joseph, 52 n.-
Maude, ('apt. the Hon. James Ashley, 256
Maude, R.-Ad. William, 545
Maudslay, Joseph, 202 n.^ 203
Mauna, Prince, 306
Mauritius, 216
Maxse,Com. Frederick Augustus, 402 and n.',
436
Maxwell, Capt. Jlurray, 231, 232, 504
Maxwell (R.M.), Lieut. William Robert, 284
May, Lieut. Augustus Charles, 505
May, Mate Pliilip William, 330
May, Com. Walter William, 533, 535, 536
Mayne, Lieut. Richard Charles, 464
Mazerfe, Lieut. (Fr.), 338, 339, 341
McArthur (K.M.A.), Lieut, Edward, 369
McCall, Lieut. Edward R. (U.S.X.), 89 u.=,
90
M'Callum (R.M.), Lieut. Edward Gough,
431
M'Clevertv, Cipt. James .Johnstone, 288,
361,400,401,440
McClintock, Cora. Francis Leopold, 506,
530, 533-536
McClintock, Mids. (U.S.N.), 96
McClure, Com. Robert John Le Jlesurier,
505, 517, 530, 531, 535
McConnick, Dr. Robert, 524
M'Crc.a, Lieut. John Dobree, 496
M'Creagh, Brig. Michael, 238, 240, 246
M'Creery, Lieut. David, 90
M'Culloch, Capt. William, 231
M'Doiuild, Lieut. James, 174
McDonald, Com. John Wallace Douglas, 503
McDonell, Mr. (Consul), 226
McDonnell, Lieut. James Julius, 505
M'Dou'^all, Master George Frederick, 535
M'Dougall, Lieut. John (3), 230
M'Dowall, Lieut.-Col. Robert, 248
M'Ghie, Lieut. James, 132 n.^
M'Uanlv, Lieut. John Bunch Bonneniaison,
2i;8, 2(i9
M'Kay, Lieut. Charles, 40 n.
Mclvillo]), Cum. Henry Frederick, 454
M'Kiiilov, Admiral George, 511
McKuigiit, Lieut. Decatur (U.S.N.), I07
McMurdo, Cimi. Archibald, 517, 524
M'Murdo, Mate llem-y Robert Douglas, 377
M'Namiira, Lieut, Jeremiah, 275
APNeil, Brig. Malcolm, 381
M'Ph'-rson, Com. George, 227 and n."
M'Quhae, Capt. Peter, .33 1
.M'Veagh (U.M.), Lieut. Patrick, 116 n.«
Meacay, 217, 218
Meaouiig, 378
576
INDEX TO VOLUME
Mechain, Lieut. George Frederick, 533-
536
Medals : —
Acre, 214
Algier, 230
Arctic, 214, 507
Baltic, 214, 506
Cape of Good Hope (1850-1853), 214
China War (1839-1842), 288 and n.,
303
Conspicuous Gallantr}', Good Conduct
and Long Service, institution of, 214
FroUc, 39 ''
Gold Medal actions. List of, 213 n.^
Ouerrierc, 35
" India No. 1," 250
Lake Borgne, 149 and n.'
Lake Erie, 118
Navarin, 214, 261
Medea, 312, 322, 354
Medea (Austrian), 312, 320
Medina, 394
Medina, 453 n.*
Mediterranean piracy (see under Piracy)
Mediterranean Station, 224
Medusa, 279, 288, 299 n., 300, 378
Medway, 173
Mee, Major, 284
Meek, James (Controller of tlie A'ictualling).
186
Meijxra, 196, 446, 505
Megere, 448
Mehemet Ali, 309-311, 322
Melampus, 227, 228
Melbourne, Viscount, 184 n.
Melilla, 391
Mellersb, Com. Arthur, 385
Melloone, 248, 249
Melville, Robert, Viscount, 184, 185
Mehnllr. 283, 284, 288, 289, 291
Melville Island, 510, 511, 531, 532, 534,
535 ; Beninsula, 512 ; Bay, 532
Memel, 416
Memia-1'oo, 247
Mends, Capt. the Hon. James Robert, 400
Mends, M. B. (N.(.). in charge), 188
Mends, Asst. Surveyor Thomas, 230
Mends, V.-Ad. William Bowen, 547
Mends, Capt. "William ilobert, 410, 452,
467, 472 n.
Mends, Mrs., 218
MeneJaus, 144
Menschikotf, Prince, 395
Mcrcedifa, 305
Mercury, 246, 247
Mergui, 241, 243, 249
Merlin, 478-480, 482, 483, 488, 493, 497,
498
Messenia, 253
Meteor, 147 n.\ 198
Meteorological forecasts instituted, 520
Metirtriere, 462, 471
Mexico, 196, 305
Meyen, Gulf of, 474
Miall, Lieut. Gover Rose, 464
Michell, Com. Andrew. 504
Michell, V.-Ad. Sir Frederick Thomas, 227
and n.^ 228, 312, 440, 466, 549
Midas, 268
Middleton, Capt. Robert Gambler, 186
Midshipmen, 321
Milan, Decrees of, 10
Mtlan, 419, 460 u.-, 462
"Miles Wallingford " cited, 12
Milford, 154
Military officers, Precedence of, over naval,
384 n.2
Militia, American, 142, 144, 145, 151
Milius, Capt. (Fr.), 256
Mdlar, Lieut.-Genl. William, 201 and n.'
Miller, Lieut. Robert Boyle, 495, 496
Miller (R.M.), Capt. (U.S.N.), 145, 146
Mills, George, 195 n.
Mills, MidsT John, 150 n.'
Millwall, 196
Milne, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alexander,
212 and n.-, 277, 30.5, 30G
Milne, R.-Ad. Sir David, 205, 223, 224
and n.-, 227 and n.-
Milonopulo, Lieut. Augustus (Austrian),
312
Min River, 351, 385
Miuchin, Major, 383
Mlnden, 227, 228
Mindham, William, 79, 82
Minerva, 31
Mingaye, V.-Ad. James, 548
Miniac, Lieut. (Fr.), 338
Minter, Surg. John Moolenburgh, 376
Minto, Gilbert, Earl of, 185
Miranda, 428, 453 n.*, 455, 458, 462
Mississippi River, 148, 151
Mitchell, Lieut. Alfred, 445 n?
Mitchell, Com. Charles, 238
Mitchell, blaster's Mate Matthew, 163 n.'
Mitchell, Peter (Pilot), 258
Mitraille, 462
Mobile Bay, 103 n.' ; Point, 150
Mocha, 233
Modeste, 193, 283 n.^, 285, 288-290, 292,
294 Q.\ 295 n., 296, 297 n., 298 n., 299 n.,
300 and n., 301 n., 302, 305
Mof/ador, 400, 40], -437
Moharem Bey, 258
Mohawk, 96
Mohawk (U.S.), 116 n.^
Mohawk Valley, 110
Mombasa, 518
Monarch, 419
Money, Com. Rowland, 144 n.^ 148 n.'
Monkey, 198, 268, 505
Monroe, President, 144
Montagu, Mate Charles Frederick Herman,
417 n.
Montagu, V.-Ad. Sir William Augustus,
545
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Oil
Montaqu, 53
MouUMlo, 400, 440, 452
MunUcuccoU, 312
Montevideo, 33G, 337, 343-345
Moiilgomerie, Col., 300
Montf/omerii, 132 n.'
Moutical Inlaiul, 516, 529
Montresor, Com. Henry, 149 n.', 150 n.
Moore, Admiral Sir Graham, 223, 224
Moore, Capt. John (4), 400, 402, 435 440,
451, 467
Moore, Mids. Thomas W., 150 n.'
Moorish jiirates, 7, 24, 17C, 226-231, 235-
237, 360-362
Moorsom, Capt. Constantine Richard, 211
and u.=, 227
Moorsom, V.-Ad. Sir Hobert, 224
Moorsom, Capt. William, 445 u.^ 467, 468
Morataba River, 325, 327
Morea, 253, 254, 262
Morell, Lieut. Arthur, 508
More-iby, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax,
225, 547
Morgan, Lieut. Edward Edwin, 333
Morgan, Assist.-Surg. Frederick, 370
Morgan, Lieut. William George Hepburn,
431
Morgan (R.M.), Lieut. William Moore, 230
Slorgan, Com. William Thomas, 504
Mo^j;ell, Lieut., 265
Moriarty, Lieut. William, 234
Sloiice, Cajit. (Fr.), 256
Morning Herald quoted, 442
Moriihy, Male Nathaniel James, 417 n.'
Morris," Lieut. Charles (U.S.N.), 36
Morris, Lieut. George, 505
Morrison (R.M.), Capt. Arthur, 316
Morritt, Lieut. George, 330
Morshead, Com. William Henry Anderson,
288, 304, 475 n.»
Mosquito, 256
Mottley, R.-A.l. Samuel (1), 542
Mottley, Lieut. Samuel, 504
Moubray, V.-Aii. Sir Richard Hussey (Sir
Richard Hussey Hussey), 539
Mouette, 460 n.=
Mould, Capt. James, 227 and n.*
Mould, Lieut. William, 355
Moulmein, 373
Moustaches, 211
Mozambique, 271), 518
MoziiiTer, 375, 376, 381, 382
Mudu'Hassim, Rajah, 324,325
Mudge, Lieut, lleiiry Colton, 489
Mudge, Admiral Zachary, 541
Mulcaster, Capt. William Howe, 115,
116 n.2
Mundy, Admiral Sir George, 541
Mun(ly,Cai)t. George Rodney, 332-334,362,
478
Murat, 13
Murdiio, ,'!20 n.'
Murray, Lieut. Augustus Charles, 305 and n.'
VOL. VI.
Murray, Lieut. .\ugustU8 George Ernest,
478
Murray, The Hon. James Erskine, 326
and n.*
Murray, John, 210
Murray, Col., 132
Murray, Mids. , 244
Muske'ts, Types of, 202
Musquedobet, 98 n.*
Muiine, 227, 228, 462, 471, 505
Myrtle, 505
Mytilene, 310
X.\hr-el-Keld, 315
Naiad, 236
Nakhimoif, V.-Ad. Paul Stepauovitch
(Russian), 397 and n.'
Namquan, 385
Nankin, 193
Nanking, 299, 301-304, 386
Nankivel, Master's Mate Thomas James,
46 n.'
Nauniug, Rajah of, 270
Nantucket, 69, 157
Nao llainha, 267
Napier, Admiral Sir Charles (2), 144, 147
nu.'- «, 205, 266, 267, 299, 310, 312-318,
321-323, 413-416, 420, 421, 425-427
and n.^, 476, 546
Na[iier, Capt. Charles George Elers, 505
Napier, Lieut. Cliarlcs Elers, 266, 288
Na|)ier, Genl. Sir Cliarles James, 94
Najiier, (Shipbuilder), 196, 199
Napier Island, 200
Najiicr's Reach, 292
Naples, 229
Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor, 4, 6, 10, 11,
13, 21, 64, 152, 452, 470, 473
Napoleon, 396, 434, 440
Narcissus, 57 n., 97
Xares, Capt. Sir George Strong, 535
Nargen, 426, 427, 479, 485
Narva River, 485
Natal, 308
Natalia Republic, 308
Nattajawassa, 128
Nautical Magazine quoted, 195 n.
Nautilus, 25, 32, 151 and n.', 176
Naval Brigade in Crimean War, 435, 446,
449
Naval Instructors, rank of, 210
Navarino, Battle of, 252-256 ; medal for,
214, 261
Navy Board, Abolition of, 186 n.'
Navy Lists, Meginnings of, 209
Navy Pay Otlice, Abolition of, 185
Na/.aretli" River, 272
Nazer, Lieut. Henry, .501
Niizor, Lieut. Kelly, 98
Neale, V.-Ad. Sir Harry Burrard, 224, 236,
237, 251, 252
Neale, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 93
Need, Com. Henry, 394
578
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Neglect of ships on foreign stations, 3LI9
Kegrais, Cape, 238, 247 ; Island, 273, 274
Negril Bay, 148 n.^
Kegioes, 107, 122
Kelson, V.-Ad. Horatio, Yiscount, 44 n.-,
47, 61, 80, 159, 226
Nelson, Lieut. Horatio, 384
Nelson, 198
Neuibhard, Master George AVilliani, 288
Nemesis, 195, 285 and n., 287-290, 292,
294 n.', 295 and n., 298 and n.', 296,
297 and n., 299 n., 300, 301 n., 329, 330,
335, 336, 362, 363, 379
Nepadu, 248
Neptune, 414, 419
Nerhiidda, 295, 380-382, 506
Neri'iiie, 170
Nertycla, 100
Nesbitt, Mids., 278, 279
Nesham, V.-Ad. Cliristoplicr John AVilliams,
542
Nesib, 309
Netlierlands, Moorish relations with, 226,
229
Netky, 129 n.'
Neutral nations, rights of, 2-5 ; search of
ships of, claimed by combatants, 14 ; port
of, violated, 173
New Brunswick, 89
New England, 64, 65, 67, 69, 72, 92, 97
New Guinea, 522, 523
New London, 46
New Orleans, 103 n.', 148 and n.^, 150, 152
New Yorli, 15, 16, 32, 56, 64, 07, 69, 91,
159, 166, 173 and n.
New Zealand, 214, 331, 346-349, 520, 52)
Newark, 142, 143, 146
Neivcasth, 171, 172
Newland, Lieut. Charles Franklacd, 333
Newton, Com. Vincent, 144 n.-
Niagara, 120-127, 277
Niagara Falls, 277
Nias, Capt. Joseph, 288, 295, 296, 304, 511
Niblett, Master Francis Herbert, 360
Niblett (I.N.), Cora. G. T., 357, 359, 377
Nicaragua, 349-351
Nicholson, Mate Frederick Falkiner, 341
Nicolaief, 435, 470
Nicolas, E.-Ad. John Toup, 548
Nicolay, Sir W., 216
Nicolson, Com. Sir Frederick AVilliam
Erskine, 360, 361, 429, 430, 475 u.^
Nie-Wooh-Breen, 249
Niel, Genl. (Fr.), 425
Nujer, 368, 399 n.', 400, 403-405, 443
Niger Expedition, 519
Ni(/liti»gale, 505
Nile, 419, 478, 499
Nile medal, 213 n.^
Nimble, 268, 273, 505
Nimrod, 288, 296, 504
Ningpo, 295-297, 304 ; River, 283, 295, 296
Noble, V.-Ad. Jajnes, 542
Noddall, Master Cornelius Thomas Augus-
tus, 439
Nolluth, Mate Charles, 330
NoUotl). Brevet-Major Peter Bramcs, 424 n.^
Norcock, Lieut. George Lowcay, 333, 334
Norcock, John Henrv, 241
Nore, The, 205, 224"
Norfolk (U.S.A.), 43, 93
Norne, 149 n.'
Norman, Lieut. Charles E., 156 n.
Norman, Lieut. John Norris, 445 n.'
North Georgian Group (Parry Islands), 510
North Somerset, 530
North Star, 276, 288, 299 u., 300 and c,
347-349, 535, 537
North-West Passase, 526-530, 535
Noithesk, Adndraf William, Earl of, 223
Northumberland, E.-Ad. Algernon, Duke of
(Lord Algernon Percv, Lord Prudhoe),
185, 548 "
Northumberland Inlet, 535
Nourse, Capt. Jose].ih, 144 n.-
Nova Scotia, 89
Nowchow, 355
Noyes, Mids. John, 175 n.'
Nurse, Capt. Hugh, 234 and n.^
Nya Myat Toon," 383, 384
Nijm'plie, 41 and n.'
Nystad, 485
Obligado, 339, 340
Ohligado, 343, 429, 475 n.'
O'Bryen, V.-Ad. Lord James (Marquis of
Thomond), 540
O'Callaghan, Capt. George William Douglas,
387, 388, 475
Ocean, 231
Odensholme, 488
Odessa, 399-401, 403, 404, 409, 470
Odin, 410, 417, 420, 425, 472
O'Ferrall, R. More {Ue. of the Adm.), 185
Officials of the Admiralty, List of, lt4-188
Ogle, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles, 223,
225, 538
Ogle, Mids. Charles (2), 148 n.'
Ogle, Com. Graham, 329, 332
O'Gradv, E.-Ad. Haves, 547
O'Higgins, Genl., 263
O'Hiyejins, 263, 264
Ohio, 8
Ohio, 129, 130
Okhotsk, Sea of, 476
Old Bahama Channel, 235
Oldmixon, Lieut. George, 505
Oliver, Admiral Robert Dudley, 538
Oliver, Com. Eobert (2), 271
Omar AH Suffudee, 332, 334
Omar Pacha (Omar Bev), 315 and n.-\ 397,
399, 404, 450
Omniannev, Capt. Era-nuis, 428, 478, 532-
534
Ommanney, V.-Ad. Henry Mauat n, 544
INDEX TO VOLUME 17.
579
Oinmanney, Aihniial Sir John Ackwortli,
224, 25(), 540 I
Onega, Gulf of, 474
Oneida, 110-112
( ln>lo\v, Com. John James, 272
Ontario, Lake, IO'.t-HS, 134
Ol.ium trade, 279-281,351
Oi)orto, 107, 2G7
Orders in Council, 5, 10, 14, 20-22
Ordronaux, Master John (U.S.), 157
O'Reilly, Lieut. John (1), 215
Organisation, Deficiency of, in Crimea, 436 1
Oribe, 33"j
Orion, i:t9, 200, 478, 480
Ormsby (I.X.), Com. H. A., 288
Ornagacuam (Komet Sherouan), 317 ami n.^
Orpheus, 159
Osljorn, Capt. Sherard, 458-i66, 506, 532-
536; quoted, 460, 464
Osborne, Raljih Bernal (Sec. of the Adm.),
185, 503
Osborne, Major, 279
0>~borne, 199 n.'=
O.el, 488, 489
Osman Pacha, 397, 398
Osjiretj, 347, 505
Oswego, 116 and n.^
Otchakof, 470, 473
Oterhall islet, 493 ,
Otter, Cai)t. Henry Charles, 422, 425, 478,
486, 4^9, 490, 491
Otvvay, Com. Charles Cooke, 505
Otway, Com. Robert Jocelyn, 349 and n.'
Otwav, V.-Ad. Sir Robert Waller (1), 224,
225, 520
Owen, Admiral Sir Edward William Camp-
bell Rich, 224, 225, 539
Owen, A'.-Ad. William Fitzwilliam, 518,
546
Pacific, Operations in the, 475, 476 ; Station,
225
Packet Service, 208 and n.' ; Controller of,
188
Paddi, 326
Padoung-mew, 248
Pagahm-mcw, 249
Page, Admiral Benjamin William, 538
Page, Lieut. Thomas Jefferson, 355 and n.'
I'aget, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Charles, 225,
276, 305, 539
Paget, Capt. Lord Clarence Edward, 207,
413
Pagoda Point, 373
Paine,'Lieut. Reuben, 147 n.'
Pakenham, Maj.-Genl. Sir Edward, 148
Pakenham, Com. John (2), .504
Pakboi, 357
Pakoo, 32(> anil n.'
ralUm, 220 n.', 429
Palmer, Capt. I'Mmund, 144 n.», 145 n., 227
Palmer, Lieut. George (3), 431
Palmer, Com. John Jervis, 505
Palmersum, Lord, 184 n., 283, 323 ; quoted,
427 n.2
Palo, 362
Panamii, 440
Panda, 308
Pandu, 272, 273
Pandassan, .334
Pandora, 530
Pandouv, 338-340
Panlang, 242, 244-246
Panquera Usof, 330
Pantaloon, 192, 193, 365
Paoushun, 390
Para (Brazil), 275
Paraguay, 343
Parana River, 337-345
Parauagua, 392
Paris, International Council of War at, 473 ;
'i'reaty of, 500
Park (R.M.), Lieut. Thomas, 156 n.
Parker (R.M.), Capt. Charles Allen, 431
Parker, V.-Ad. Christojjher (2), 144 n.'
Parker, Capt. George (2), 388
Parker, Admiral Sir Hyde, 212 and n.'
Parker, V.-Ad. Hyde (3), 167, 187, 212 n.',
218 n.», 545
Parker, Capt. Hyde (4), 405, 406
Parker, John (Sec. of the Adm.), 185
Parker, Admiral Sir Peter (1), 1-W n.'
Parker, Cajit. Sir Peter (2), 144 and n.», 148
Parker, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William (2),
197, 224, 226, 270, 288, 293, 294, 296,
297, 300, 301, 303, 304, 503, 522, 541
Parker, Sec. Master William Hennessey, 464
Parkinson, Act. Sec. Master Charles, 329
Parks, Lieut. Miurav Thomas, 532
Parnell, lit. Hon. Sir Henry B., 185
Panv, R.-Ad. Sir William Edward, 188,
508, 510, 514, 531, 548
Parry, R.-Ad. William Henry Webley
(VVilliam Henry Webley), 542
Parry Islands (Korth Geor;;ian group), 510
Parseval-Pescb^nes, V.-Ad.' (Fr.), 413,419-
, 421, 42.5, 426
I Parson, Com. John, 227 and n."
I Parthian, 505
Partridge, Mate William Luke, 325
Parlridfje, 504
Pasco, Lieut. Crawf^ird .\itcheson Dcnham,
330
Pasco, R.-Ad. John, 546
Pasco, Mr., 365
Paskievich, Marshal, 407
Pasley, A<lmiral Sir Tliomas Sabine, 337,
549
Passall, , 272
Patagonia, .520
Patajisco River, 148
Patersoii, Cnpt. William, 227 and n.'
Patoy, C'om. George Edwin, 332 and n.'
Patey, Lieut. Russell, 369
Patn'is, 253, 254
Patten, Com. Frederick, 347, .505
'1 V -1
580
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Patusen, 327, 328
Patusent River, 143, 144
Paul, Master Henry. 444
Paulding, Mids. Hiram (U.S.N.), 137
Paulet, Admiral Lord George, 440, 446, 549
Paulovski, Cape, 453
Pay, Scale of, 204, 206
Pavnter, Com. James Avlmer Dorset, 330,
331, 333 and n.'
Paysandu, 337
Peacock; 53-56, S7, 151, 158-161, 166, 173,
175, 176
Pe.icocke, V.-Ad. Bichard, 541
Peake, Lieut. Henrv Frederick, 266, 267
Peake, Com. William, 53-56
Pearn, Ma.ster Edwin John Phillips, 266,
267, 317 and n.^
Pears (Mil.), Capt., 300
Pearse, Com. Joseph, 288
Pear.ie, Lieut. Richard Bulkeley, 380 and n.'',
484
Pearson, Y.-Ad. Richard Harrison, 539
Pearson, Lieut. Thomas Livingstone, 468
and n.'
Pechell, Capt. Sir John, 251
Pechell, Lieut. Mark Robert, 478 and u.^
Pechell, Capt. Samuel John, ti3
Pechell, B.-Ad. Sir Samuel John Brooke,
546
Peel, Sir Robert, 184 n.
Peel, Capt. Sir William, 215, 435, 445, 446,
449, 450, 459, 467
Peel Sound, 528
Pegraui, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 389
Pegu, 243, 377, 380-382
Pegu, 379 and n.*
Peirce, Mate John, 16
Pelham. Capt. the Eon. Frederick Thomas,
413, 424, 478
Pelicun, 86-88, 251, 252, 260, 288
PeUssier, Genl. (Fr.), 453
Pell, R.-Ad. Sir Watkiu Owen, 188, 547
Pellew, Admiral the Hon. Sir Fleetwood
Broughton Reynolds, 226, 546
Pellion, R.-Ad. Udet (Fr.), 471-473
Pelter, 478 and n.', 494
Pembroke, Shipbuilding at, 199 ; Packet
station at, 208 n.''
Pemlrol-e, 478 and n.', 495, 496
Penaug, 240, 241
Penaud, R.-Ad. (Fr.), 419 n.', 426, 477, 480,
482, 488, 493-496
Pendulum Islands, 517
Penelope, 368, 369, 394, 419, 424
Penguin, 173-175 and n.'
J'enguin Point, 89
Penn, Messrs., 203
Pennell, Sir Charles Henry, 207
Penny, , 532
Penobscot Ri\er, 148
Penrose, R.-Ad. Sir Charles Yinicombe, 229
Pensions to widows, 206
" Pepper box " revolver, 202
Perceval, Com. the Hon. Geort;e Janifes, 227
Percv, Lord Algernon (see Northumberland,
Duke of)
Percy, Capt. the Hon. Henry William, 150
Percy, Y.-Ad. the Hon. Josceline, 224, 271,
545
Perekop, Gulf of, 447, 448
Perkins, Lieut. Henry Augustus, 230
Pernau, 485, 499
Perry, Master George David, 464
Perry, Capt. Oliver" Hazard (U.S.N.), 113,
119-123, 125-128
Perseverance, 478, 503
Persia, 279
Personnel of Navy in 1813 and 1817, 204
Peru, 265
Pestonjee, 291
Petalidion, 252
Petchili Gulf, 283
Petrel, 474
Petropaulovski, 429-431, 475
Petrovski, 459
Petrushena, 461
Peyton, Lieut. Richard, 505
Phaeton, 242
Philadelphia, 67, 69
Philips, R.-Ad. James Robert, 545
Phillimore, Capt. Sir John, 208, 220 and u.=,
237
Phillpotts, Lieut. George, 348
Philomel, 256, 337-339, 342, 344, 367
Phinn, Thomas (Sec. of the Adm.), 185
Phleqethon, 288, 294 n.', 295-298 n.', 299
and n., 300, 327, 328, 332-334, 355, 357
Phoco-foo, 367
Phoehe, 101-104, 106-108
Phoenix, 37, 276, 312, 318 n., 319, 320, 393,
474, 475, 504, 536
Physician-General of the Navy, 186 and
nn., 189
Pickey, Lieut. Yalentine, 243, 244, 249
and n.'^
Piclcle, 268, 478 and n.', 489
I'idcock, Lieut. George Adolphus, 385-386
Piedmoniaise, 37
Pierce, Lieut. George, 227
Piers, Lieut. Shute Barrington, 478 and n.''
Pietermaritzhurg, 303
Pigmy, 419, 424
Pigot, Admiral Sir Hugh (3), 159, 543
Pike, Genl. rU.S.), 113
Pike, 115, 505
Pillage and devastation, 70, 71, 94 and n.-,
95, 142, 143, 146, 147, 150
Pilong Pilongan, 335
Pilot, 193, 353
Pilot, The, quoted, 60
Pilots, 415
Pim, Lieut. Bedford C. T., 478 and n.-
Pincher, 478 and n.^, 485, 494, 505
Pioneer, 506, 532, 534, 535
Pique, 192, 193, 200, 276, 305, 312-315,
318 n., 319, 320, 322, 429, 430, 475 n.', 476
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
581
Piracy —
China, 2!J4, 296, 352, 354-360, 38-1-
386, 388-390
Eastern Archipelaf;o, Ma'av Peninsula,
etc., 275, 276, 323-328, 329, 332,
362, 303, 393, 394
Mediterranean and Levant, 251, 261,
361, 362, 390, 391
Moors, 226-231, 360-362
Persian Gulf, 234
Prince's Island, 272
Sarebas and Sakarren, 325-328
Slavers, 233, 364, 365
West Indies, 234, 268
Pitman, Lieut. William, 468
Pitt, Sir William, 10
Plaggenborg, Lieut. Edward, 505
Planeta, 272
I'lantagenet, 155
Plate River, 215
Plattsburg B.av, 132, 134, 152
Plorer, 288, 300, 301, .TOS, 522, 531
Pluniridge, Admiral Sir James Hanwav,
270, 413, 415-417, 420, 421, 426, 548 "
Plunder (see Pillage)
Fluto, 288, 299 n., 300, 301 n., 32H, 330,
351 n.S 377-379, 393
I'luton, 449
I'lymoutb, 187, 226
Plymouth, 355, 387
Plymouth Telegraph, quoted, 231
Plymsell, Lieut. Amos, 235
Pocock, Mate Charles Ashwell Boteler, 381,
384
Pococke, Mids, George H. A., 230
Poe (P.M.), Lieut. George, 144 n.'
Poiciiers, 40
Point Spirit, ."6 n.'
Polders, Capt. J. M. (Dutch), 227
I'olhi, 392
Pollard, Lieut. William James, 424
Polyphemus, .''.61, 506
Pomonc, 167-169
Pomone (t'r.), 440
Pongos Kiver, 306, 393, 394
Po)ihani, Com. Stephen, 116 and nn. -■ *
Popham, Com. William, 227
Popplewell, Com. George Otway, 435, 446
Pornipine, 419, 478, 499
Porcupine (U.S.), 120, 122, 124, l-_'9
forpnise, 478 and u.'
Port Bowcn, 513
Port Cornwallis, 238
Port Kgrnont, 272
Port Erie, 129
Port Essington, 329, 523
Port Leopold, 530
I'ort Louis (Kast Falkland), 272
I'ort Louis (Mauritius), 216
INjrt Mahon, 219
Port Natal, 308 and n.=
Porter, Capt. David (I'.S.N.), 31, 100-108
Portland (Maine), 89, 91
Portland, Duke of, 192
Porto Praya, 171, 173
Portpatrick, Packet station at, 208 n.'
Portsmouth —
Commanders-in-Chief at, 48 n.°, 205,
223, 328
Courts-martial at, 51 n.', 127 n., 218
Dockyard, Commissioners and Superin-
tendents of, 187
Experiments at, 331, 332
Naval gunnery school foundid at, 203
Royal Marine Aitillery new quarters
at, 207
Royal Naval College at, 203
Shipbuilding af, 199
Portsmouth (Virginia), 161
Portsoiki River, 487
Portuense, 267
Portugal : —
Arrogante captured from, 277
Brazil, Struggle with, 265
Chinese policv of, 360
Civil war in, 266, 270
Macao possessed by, 280, 281
^fozambique insurrection against, 276
Napier in, 313
Sailors from, in American ships, 8, 76,
81,85
Slave-dealing abandoned by, 233 n."
Postle, Lieut. Charles James, 505
Poti, 402
Potomac River, 94, 144, 147, 148
Potter, Master Thomas, 471
Pottinger, Col. Sir Henrv, 279, 293, 294,
303
Poulden, E.-Ad. Richard, 541
Poulett, V.-Ad. the Hon. George, 545
Poursuivante, 419
Pnutiatin, R.-Ad. (Russian), 429
Powell, Com. Herbert Brace, 229
Powell, Capt. Richard Ashniore, 362 and n.,
403. 405, 440, 467
Powerful, 218, 3J0, 312, 313 n.», 314 and
n.-, 317, 318 n., 319-322
Vowhattaii. 389, 390
Powshan, Kort of, 299
Poyntz, Admiral Stephen, 538
Praed, V.-Ad. Bidkley Mackworth, 542
Pratt, Lieut. George, 150 and n.'
Pratt, Mids. Robert, 230
Pratt, Major, 285
Prallen, Lieut. John, 505
Pratient, Lieut. Krancis Moubray, 495, 496
Prehh, 13'_' nn. ', \ 133, 13.">-1.!7
Rreedy, Com. George William, 424 n.», 494
I'lendergasl, Lieut. John, 165 n.^
I'reseolt, 277
Prescolt, Admiral Sir Henry, 187, 546
PrcsiJcitl, 22 and im., 25, 26, 30, 31, 41,
132 n.', 166-168 and n.^, 213 n.», 366,
429-131 and n.', 475 n.»
Prrsidcnte, 269
I'resqu'ish, 119
582
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Press-gang. (See Impressment)
Presto Island, 424, -1:25
Preston, Admiral D'Arcy, 538
Prettyjolm (R.il.), Corpl. John, 215
Prevost, Genl. Sir George, 113, 132, 135 u.',
141 and n.^
Prevost, Lieut. Lewis de Teissier, 365
Price, 1!.-Ad. David, 188, 205, 225, 429,
430, 548
Primauguet, 412, 440
Prime Ministers, List of, 184 n.
Primrose, 269 and n.*
Prince, 448
Prince de XenfclmteJ, 155, 157
Prince Patrick Island, 53(>
Prince Reyent, 116 n.', 117, 419
Prince Regent Inlet, 510, 512, 513, 515
Prince of liases, 245
Prince of Wales Island, 534
Prince's Island, 272
Princess Alice, 478 and u.'
Princess Charlotte, 116 n.', 310, ZVl, 318 n.,
319-322
Princess Royal, 207, 413, 415, 419, 452 n.*.
472 n.
Principessa ReaJe, 267
Pring, Com. Daniel, 132 n.^ 134, 139-141
Pritchard, Lieut. John Appleby, 495, 496
Pritchard, Capt. Samuel Perkins, 288
Privateers —
American, 57, 58 and n., 64, 65, 71-74,
92, 97, 98, 152-158, 161, 177
British, 98
Carthagenan, 159
French, 153
Prize cheques, 76
Proby, li.-Ad. the Kon Gr.inville Leveson
(Earl of Carysfort), 545
Procida, 338 and n.', 339
Proctor, R.-Ad. Sir William Beauchamp,
545
Progress, 448
Prome, 246, 247, 378-380 and n.-
Promethetis, 226, 227, 39]
Promotion, 204-206
Prompt, 478 and n.', 489
Proser/Jtne, 288, 300, 372-374, 378, 379
Providence, 269
Provor.iyi, 256
Prowse, K.-Ad. William (1), 539
Prudhoe, Lord: (See Northumberland, Duke
of)
Piueba, 270
Prussia, Attitude of, towards Turkey, 310;
Daiizi'i party defeated by pirates, 391 ;
condition of, in 1853, 395
Psara Island, 251
Pnget, R.-Ad. Peter, 539
Pulo Arroa, 275
Pulo Bungore, 332
Pulo Leat, 232
Pulo I'enang, 248
Pulo Sujec, 275
Pumkavi, 247
Punishments, 216-218, 220, 221
Punta Obligado, 337
Pursers, Rank of, 210
Purver, L., 213 n.*
Purvis, Lieut. Francis Reginald, 444
Purvis, V.-Ad. John Brett, 337, 546
Put-In Bay, 122
Putrid Sea", 454
Puzendown Creek, 241, 244
Pylades, 193, 283 n.-, 288, 292, 294 n.', 478,
499
Pym, Lieut. Frederick Whiteford, 478
and n.^
Pym, Admiral Sir Samuel, 187, 543
Pym, Sec. Master R. E., 331
Pym, Lieut. William Henry, 446 n.-
Pyrenees, 449 n.'
QuALLOo Battoo, 326 n.''
Queen, 192, 193, 200, 284, 285, 288, 289,
291, 294 and n.', 295 n., 296, 297 n., 300,
440, 444 and n.*
Queen Chnrlotte, 117, 120-124, 126, 227-
230
Quillimane, 518
Quin, Lieut. Francis Beaufort, 333, 335
a:id n.'
Quin, Com. Michael, 237 and n.'
Quin, Mate Richard Robert, 288
Raby, Lieut. Henrv James, 215
Racehorse, 275, 305, 348, 349, 388, 389, 504
Racer, 98 and n.*
Radama I., King, 345
Radcliffe, Lieut. Copleston, 129 and n.^, 130
Raderhurst (Mil), Lieut., 129
Radstock, Admiral Granville George Walde-
grave, Lord, 545
I'afole, 462
Raggett, R.-Ad. Ilichard, 540
Itaghin, Lord, 404, 405, 407, 411, 412,434n.^
437, 446, 450, 451, 458, 459
Raigersfeld, R.-Ad. Jefiery, Baron von, 542
Rainbow, 170, 193, 200
Raine Island, 522
Rainha de Portugal, 267
Rainier, R.-Ad. John Sprat, 538
Rakovia Harbour, 475
Raleigh, 193
Ramillies, 149 n,'
Ramri, 249
Ramsay, Capt. George, 423, 478, 494, 500
Ramsay, Com. Robert, 144 n.-, 148 n.'
Rarasav, Com. William, 269 and n.^, 413,
424 n.^ 478
Ranavalona I., Queen, 345
Randolph, Lieut. George Granville, 330
Ranee, 362, 363
Rangehaieta, 349
Rangoon, 238, 240-243, 245-249, 372-377,
379, 381-383 ; River, 238, 242, 243, 246,
374-375
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
583
Raper, Admiral Hcnrv (1), 538 ]
Haper, Lieut. Heiiiv (2), 182, 523
liaplil, 36fi, oOo
lias-al-Kliyina, 234
Kating, System of, 27
Ratsey, K.-Ail. Edward, 545
Hata'er, 197, 198, 374, 375, 379 and n.*, 385,
389, 390
RaltU'snal-e, 262, 282 n.^, 283 n.', 288,
294 n.', 295 n., 300, 523
Kauii.o, 486, 490
Haven, 472
llaveiisair Inlet, 482
Hawle, Lieut. Richard, 150 n.
Hay, Mids. Edward Hood Lingard, 335
Read, Lieut. George L'. (U.S.N. ), 57 n.
Head, Lieut. Offley Malcolm Crewe, 418
Ready, l.ieiit. fleiirv, 'iC>, 37 n.'
Rear-Admiral, Kaiili of, 205 n.', 200
Recruit, 453 n.*, 454, 456, 463, 505
Red Bay, 354 ; River, 358
Redbreast, 478 and n.'
Redout Kaleli, 402
Redpole, 505
Rediritig, 478 and n.', 494, 504
Reed, Archibald, 244
Rees, Master John Fletcher, 305 and n."
Reeve, Lieut. John Mil ward, 330, 333, 367
Reeves, 'J'homas, 215, 449
Reforms of Sir James Graham, 189
Reid, Master's Mate Andrew, 147 n.'
Reid, Lieut. John, 3.30, 3.'!5
Reid, Master Samuel Chester (U.S.), 155
and n.'
Reindeer, 105, 161-163 and n.'
Rejani; River, 303
Rembas, 326 and n.'; River, 303
liendVy (li.M.), Lieut. William, 230
Keiinie, Messrs., 197 n.
Reiiommee, 48 n."
Reiiiu'^ton, K.-Ad. Edward Henry a'Court
(^Edward llcnrj- a'Court), 546
Republicaiio, 339-341
Resolute {Adventure), 199 and n.", 500
Resolute, 448, 532, 535, 536
Retirement, 205-207
Retribution, 194, 199, 200, 398, 399 n.',
400, 401, 440
Reval, 414, 425, 479, 482, 488
Revans, Com. Thomas, 228 and n.'
Uevenge, 271, 312, 314, 318 n., 319, 320, 322
Revolvers, 'I'yiws of, 202
Reynard, 505
Reynaud, Cajit. (Er.), 440
Reynolds, Ailniiral Sir Harrington, 312, 547
llhadamanthus, 271
RIdo, liajah of, 325
Rilmuleau, V.-Ad. Peter, 541
Rice, Com. Edward Bridges, 380, 391
Rice, Lieut. Ereilcrick Uampier, 371, 394
Rice, V.-.'Vd. George Erederick, 548
Rice, l.ieut. George William, 370, 377, 380,
384
Richards, Com. George Henry, 342, 521,
535, 536
Ricliards, R.-Ad. Peter, 187, 227 and n.«,
229, 270, 288, .',01, 302 and n.', 301, 549
Richards, Mids. Thomas, 309
Richardson, V.-.\d. Sir Charles, 543
Richardson, Dr. John (2), 513
Richmond, 69
Rickard, Quartermaster William, 215
Uicketts, Admir.al Sir Tristram Hubert, 541
Riddell, Com. Robert, 227
Hidge, Lieut. George Agar Ellis, 350, 394
Riff Coast, 391
Rifles. Types of, 202
Riga, 415, 416, 485, 488, 489, 499
Rigny, R.-Ad. Henri de (Fr.), 253, 254, 256,
258
Ringdove, 276, 305, 332, 335 and n.'
Rio Frio, 391
Rio de Janeiro, 265
Rip frtH Win/cle, 448
Ripon, Earl of, 185
Rival, 391
Riviera, Genl. (LVuguavan), 337
Rivoli, 2l;! n.»
Roach, William, 105
Hobb, Capt. .John, 256, 259, 415, 478
Robert, Capt. (Fr.), 256
Robt-rts, Guimer John, 456
Roberts, Com. John Walter, 235
Roberts, Master Robert Wilson, 440
Roberts, Captain Samuel, 147 n.', 149 n.',
150 n.', 504
Rol)erts, Lieut. William Gilbert, 150 n.'
Robertson, Com. David, 347
Robertson, Com. William (2), 271
Roliertson, Lieut., 205
Robinson, Master Ratty, 52 n."
Robinson (R.M.), Capt. Charles, 314, 315
Robinson, Lieut. Charles Aylmer Pembroke
Vallancey, 367
Robinson, Rt. Hon. Frederick John (Earl
of Ripoii), 1*^5
Robinson, Mate George (3), 431
Robinson, Capt. Robert Siicncer, 312, 316,
478
Robyns (15. M.), Capt. John, 144 n.^ 148 n.'
Roche, C' m. Ifichard, 535
Rocket, 478 and n.', 489
Rockets, Incendiary, 201
Rodd, V.-Ad. Sir John 'I'remayiie, 539
Rtxigers, Capt John (U.S.N.), 22 and n.^
3d, 31, 41, 59, 147, 172
Rodney, 193, 20t>, 218, 312, 322, 330, 432
440, 4>).3, 444, 449 n.'
Roebuck, Master's Mate Henry, 46 n.'
Rogers, Com. Henry IVivvniiig, 4 10 and n.
Rohindo, Lieut. ( U.S.N. ), 389, 390
Rolette, Lieut. Francis, U8, 121
Holland, Com. William Hue, 403 anil n.
Romeo I'riiiicro, 301!
Hooke, Com. Leonard Charles, 505
Husariu, 337, 343
584
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Eosas, Don Juan Manuel de, 336, 337,
342 n.', 343, 345
Rose, C, 266
Eose, Et. Hon. George, 185
Rose, 256, 259
Eoss, V.-Ad. Charles Bayne Hodgson, 187,
188, 225, 543
Eoss, E.-Ad. Sir James Clark, 508, 510,
511, 513-516, 518, 525, 530-532, 549
Eoss, Capt. Sir John, 508, 514-516
Eoss, Com. John Francis, 463-465
Eoss (I.K.), Com. E. L., 332-334
Eoss, Maj.-Genl. Eobert, 142-148 and n.'
liota, 155, 156
Eotchensalm, 485
Eotherhithe, 194
Eous, Admiral- the Hon. Hcni-y John, I'JS,
276, 548
Horn; 271, 305
Eow-galleys, 130, 133, 134, 136, 137, 140
Eowley, Admiral Sir Charles, 223, 224,
234
Eowley, Lieut. Charles John, 461 and n.-
Eowley, V.-Ad. .Joshua Eicketts, 547
Eowley, V.-Ad. Sir Josias, 224
Eowley, E.-Ad. Samuel Camjibell, 542
Eoxo, Cape, 520
Bo7jal Albert, 452 and n.\ 453 n.', 472 n.
Boyal (ieorge, 115, 413, 415, 419, 478, 503
Eoyal Marine Artillery, 207
Eoyal Marine Light Infantry, 207
Eoyal Marine, Numbers of, voted (1816-
1856), 190
lioyal Oak, 149 n.'
Eoyal Society, 517
Royalist, 324, 329, 332, 335, 362
Eoyse, Rev. Nathaniel T., 220 and n.^
Rua River, 499
Ruapekapeka, 348
liubis, 367
Ruhy, 196, 478, 485, 486, 488, 499
Rule, Sir W., 193
Rum, 208, 219
Eundle, Lieut. Joseph Siiarkhall, 278 and
n.^ 279
Russell, Admiral Lord Edward, 440, 46G,
549
Russell, Cora. Lord Francis John, 288
Russell, Lord John, 184 n.
Eussell, Com. Robert (3), 505
Russell, Lieut. William (3), 227
Eussell (N.Z.), 347
Russell Island, 534
Russia {see also Crimean AVar), 252, 308-310
Ruth, 360
Ruthven, Lieut. Cavendish Bradstreet Hore,
445 n.-
Euxton, Com., 267
Eyder, Com. Alfred Phillips, 330, 351 and
n.2, 418
Eyves, E.-Ad. George Frederick (1), 539
Ryves, Com. George Frederick (2), 238,
243, 244, 246, 247, 249
Sabixk, Capit. R. A., 512, 517
Sacken, Geul. Osten (Rus.), 400
Sackett's Harbour, 111-113, 116 n.'
Sacrificios, 305
Safford, Mrs., 313 n.^
Sailing ships of the line discontinued, 473 '
Saint Arnaud, Marshal, 404, 405, 407-412,
434 and n.'
St. David's Head, 87
St. Oeorye, 419
St. George's Bay, 317
St. Helena, 366"
St. Helens, 193
St. Jean d'Acre, 310, 318, 320, 321 ; medal
for, 214
St. Jean d'Acre, 199, 200, 413, 415, 419,
453 n.*, 472 n.
St. Lawrence, 155 and n.'
St. Lawrence Itiver, 109
St. Leger, Com. James Aldworth, 505
St. Mary's River, 150
St Michael's (Azores), 220
St. Vincent, Cape, 213 n.^ 267, 360
St. Vincent, Adm. of the Fleet, Earl, 189
Saisset, Capt. de (Fr.), 440
Sakarran, 325, 327, 328
Salamander, 276, 374, 375, 532
Salas, Col. (Xicaraguan), 349, 350
Sale, Major Robert Henry, 246
Salgir River, 463
Sahnoud, Master Robert, .505
Salmond, Mids. William, 52 n.-
Saltoun, Maj -Genl. Lord, 300, .301, 303
Salween River, 242
Samarang, 285, 287-289, 291, 327, 328,
330, 522
Samson, 368, 369, 400 and n.', 402, 412
and n.', 433, 436, 439, 440, 443, 449
Samwell, Mids. John, 81, 82
San Domingo, 213 n.^
San Domiiiyo, 44 n.*, 93
San Fioreiizo, 37
San Francisco, 476
San Josef, 203
San Juan de UUoa, 305
San Lortiizo, 343, 344
San Martin, 338-341
San Salvador, 48 and n.^
San Sebastian, 276
Sanaa, Imaun of, 233
Sanders, Capt. James, 95
Sanders, Com. Thomas, 227 and u.°
Sanderson, Lieut. John (2), 360 and n."
Sandes, Mids. John T., 144 n.^
Sandharan, 485, 495
Sandonj, E.-Ad. Williams, 277, 549
Sandowav, 249
Sandy Hook, 167
Sangwa River, 358
Sanitation at Balaclava, 458
Sa7is Pareil, 191, 398 n., 400, 440, 442-444,
498
Sapote, 307
JNDEX TO VOLUME VI.
585
Sapphire, 288, 300
Saraiiac Kiver, 132, 135
Sarandi, 272
Saratoga, 132 n.^ 133-141
Sarawak (Kuching), 324, 325 and n.', 327,
328
Sardinia, 229, 453 and d.'
Sarebas River, 325, 326 nn.', -, 362, 363
Sargent, Lieut. Robert Ornie, 527
Sargent, Com. William, 227
Sartorius, Admiral of the Fleet Sir George
Ro.se, 266, 547
Satellite, 242-246, 271
Saumarez, Lieut. Thomas (2), 369, 371
Saunders, Lieut. James, 52 n.^
Saunders, Master James, 531
Saunders, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 93
Sai'uge, 272
Savannah, 151
Sayer, R.-Ad. George (1), 541
Sayer (R.M.), Capt. William Lawrence,
424 n.2
Scanderoon, 312
Scaiidinavi.an sailors in American ships, 8
Scardanioula, 252
Schcfer, 450
Schoedde, Maj.-Genl., 296, 300, 301, 303
Scholefield, Mark, 215, 449
Scliomberg, Admiral Alexander Wilmot, 541
Sclioiiiberg, Capt. George Augustus, 493
Scliomberg, Com. Herbert, 391
Schiinbein, C. F., 332
Schooners, American, 8, 110, 155
Scilly Islands, 181
Scipion, 256
Scoresby, William, 507
Scorpion, 120-124, 126, 128, 129
Scott, Mids. Charles Kittoe, 244
Scott, Capt. Francis, 363, 416, 417
Scott, V.-Ad. Sir George (1), 539
Scott, Capt. James, 285, 288, 304
Scott, Admiral Sir James (2), 1-15 n., 549
Scott, Lieut. John Binney, 495, 496
Scott, Master Robert, 36, 37 n.'
Scott, Com. Robert Anthony Kdward, 350,
351 and n.^
Scott, Col., 113
Scout, 271, 277,352
Screw iiropeller, Origin of, 196
Scriven, Com. '1 imotliy, 504
Scurvy, 241
Seahorse, 144, 147 u.', 149 nn.', -, 213 n.'
Sealark, 369
Seamen, Numbers of, voted (1816-1856),
190
Search, Right of, 4, 5, 14
Searle, R.-Ad. John Clarke, 186, 538
Searle, R.-Ad. Thomas, 265, 545
Seba River, 367
Sebastopol, 201, 401, 403, 404, 406, 408, 409,
427, 434-446, 451, 458, 466, 4(>7, 469
Seccombe, AKSJKt.-Sing. Thomas, 376, 384
Second captains, 260
Secretaries of the Admiralty, 185
Seecheetow, 274
Seerah Island, 278 and u.'
Segaon, 297
Sec/undo liofario, 306
Selim Pasha, 315
Selw\Ti, Lieut. Jasper Henry, 367
Semillante, 419
Senhousf, Cai)t. Sir Humphrey Flemins, 96,
283, 287-289, 291, 293
Seppings, Sir Robert, 186, 191, 193
Serapaqui, 350
Serea, 392 n.-
Seriff Muller, 327, 328
Seriff Osman, 330, 331
Serocold, Lieut. George Edward Serocold
Pearce, 359
Serpent, 372-375 and n.'
Seskar Island, 420, 421, 485
Sesostris, 288,294 and n.',295n.,296-298n.',
299 n., 300, 375, 376, 379
Seu, Commissioner, 351
Seuern, 144 n.-', 151, 227, 228
Seychelles Islands, 518
Seymour, Com. FreilericU Beaucliamp Paget,
3-^0 n.'', 381, 428, 429, 475 n.'
Seymour, Com. George Alexander, 394
Seymour, Admiral of the Fleet Sir George
Francis, 223, 225, 480, 484, 503, .5_44
Seymour, Capt. George Uenrv, 326, 478, 496,
500
Seymour, R.-Ad. Sir Michael (1), 187, 188,
225, 540
Seymour, R.-Ad. Sir Michael (2), 187, 188,
226, 413, 426, 466, 478, 505, 549
Shadwell, ' Admiral Charles Frederick
Alexander, 379-382, 384 and n.', 522
Shanghai, 299, 300, 30 1, 386
Shaming, 291, 292
Shannon, 31-33, 76-86, 163, 199, 200
Shap'n'gtzai, 353, 355-359
Shark, o04
Sharpe, V.-Ad. Alexander Renton, 517
Sharpshooter, 392
Shavlev Island, 429
Shead.'Sailing-master (I'.S.X.), 96
Sheerness, 187, 195 u., 197, 199, 328
Sheipoo, 390
Shelburne, 98 n.*, 159
Sliejiard, V.-.\il. James Keith, 539
Sheplierd, James, 2t!6 an<l n.'
Shepherd, IJoatswain John, 215
Sherer, Capt. J.p.-eph, 268 and n.', 511, 513,
518
Slicriilan, 70
Shield, Capt. William, 186, 187
Shippard, R.-Ad. Alexander, 544
Ship-Blooi)s, 96, 159, 164 ; American, 26, 150
Shirley, Y.-Ail. George James, 53;i
ShirrelT, l!.-.\.l. William Henry, 95, lh7,
329, 546
Shorter, Dr., 1116
Shorlt, Com. Francis Ilmry, 172
586
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Sliu\ik Shay Ivhuiie Island, 370, 380
Shrapnel, Lient.-Genl. Henry, -01 n.'
Shrapnel shells, Impruvenient in, liOl
Shubricb, Lieui. (r.S.N.), 54, !:>3
Shumla, 404
Si Maring lliver, 3G2, 363
Siacca, King, 306
SibijJ, 37
SihijUe, 269, 351
Sici'ly, 182
Sidon, 315, 316, 435, 446, 453 n.', 472
Siela Sound, 485, 488
Sierra Leone, 275, 305, 306, 364, 366, 368
394, 518. .See nho Africa (West Coast)
Sisjournev, Mids. (U.S.X.)- '"J
SiTistria,"404, 407
Silverlock, Mate William Greenhill, 478 !
and n.- |
Simla, 373 j
Simoon, 196, 199 and n.", -153 n *
Simpson, Assist -Surg. John, 325 and n.*
Simpson, GenL, 459, 468, 514
Sinhad, 478 and n.'
Sinclair, Ca]it. Arthur (U.S.X.), 30, 128 <
Sinclair, Admiral Sir John Gordon, 18S,
547 j
Singapore, 282, 324, 325 n.*, 329, 354, 355
Singer, Lieut. Morgan, 424 n.-
Sin^le-ship contests. General results of, 178
Sinope, 198, 397-399
Su-ah Island, 278 n.'
Siren, 361
Siri-ne, 25(i, 258, 259
Sitiu, Com. (Itussian), 256
Sitka, 475
Sitka, 432
Sivatch, Lake, 448
Skijyack; 275, 505
Skipsey, K.-Ad. William, 541
Skipwith, Com. Grev, 3tj7
Skylark, 478 and n."', 494, 505
Skyring, 520
Skvring, Com. William George, 182 and n.*,
519
Slade, Assist.-Surg. Henrv, 384
Shine?/, 238, 240, 250
Slave-dealing, 233 n.-
Slavers, Encounters witli, 268, 272, 273,
275-277, 305, 306, .363-371, 391-394
Sleigh, Mids. John, 98 n.*
Slight, John (N.(J. in Cliarge), 188
Sloops, 102, 110 ; American, 26, 64, 152,
154, 158
Small-pox, 479
Smart, Com. Robert, 271
Smith, R.-Ad. Andrew, 539
Smith, Benjamin, 481
Smith, Col. Sir Charles Feli.K, 313, 317, 322
Snuth, sir Francis Pettitt, 196-198
Smith, Capt. George, 203
Smith, Admiral Sir Henrv (2), 251, 277-279,
281, 284, 288, 296, 549
Smith, Capt. John (L'.S.N.), 30, 231
Smith, Lieut, ^idnev (U.S.X.\ 130
Smith, Mids. William (5), 81, 249 and n.'
Smith, Master William, 260
Smith, Com. William Sidney (2"), 271
Smith, Genl. (U.S.), 119
Smith Sound, 509, 510
Smollett, R.-Ad. John Rouet, 513
Smyrna, 218
Smyth, Cai)t. William Henry, 182 and n.',
508
Smvthe, Capt. William, 516, 519, 523
Snake, 192, 199 n.'", 271, 277, 30.5, 453 n.',
454, 462, 472, 505
Snaj), 478 and n.', 485, 494, 499
Snapper, 478 and n ', 494
Snow, Master's Mate William Ji)hn, 37 n.'
Sol'ala, 518
Solovetskoi Island, 428, 474
Somers, 120, 122, 124, 129, 1.30
Somerset, Lieut. Leveson Eliot Henrv, 424 n.'',
495, 496
Somerset House, Offices of Xaval Depart-
ments at, 190
Somerville, Com. Kenelm, 144 n.-
Somerville, Capt. Philip (1), 155
SoochowtVio, 300, 303
Soolous 336
Sophie, 149 n.', 237, 240-24.3, 245-247, 250
Sorrel River, 130, 132
Sosnovia, 474
Sotheby, R.-Ad. Charles, 547
Sotheby, Com. Edward Southwell, 369
Soudan, 519 and n.^
SoiijHenr, 419
Soujak Kaleh, 402, 404, 450, 454, 458
Soukhoum Kaleh, 402
South Shields, 391
South Shetlands, 526
Southampton, 57 n., 271, .308
Southampton Island, 517
Southcomb, John, 98
Spain —
American colonies of, in revolt, 100, 263
Carlist position in, 276
Matilda captured from, 277
Slave-dealing abandoned by, 233 n.-
Wellington's successes in, 64
Spain, Lieut. David, 478 and n.^
Sparsliott, Com. Samuel, 504
Sjmrtan, 193, 388
Siiartiat'., 271
Spec, 385
Spedden, Lieut. Robert (U.S.N.), 150
Speedwell, 272
Spence, Graeme (Marine Surveyor), 181 and
n.=, 182
Spencer, Brig.-Genl. The Hon. A. A., 471
Spencer, Capt. the Hon. Frederick, 256,
259 n., 262
Spencer, Capt. the Hon. Sir Hobert Caven-
dish, 236, 237
Spencer, Capt. the Hon. Robert Churchill,
150
INDEX TO VOLUME lY.
587
Speij, 505
Sphacteria Island, 25.'i and n.-
Spha^ia, 253 and n.-
Spliinx, 379, 381, 382, 384, -121, 440, 443,
453 n.*, 472
Spider, 215
Spilsbury, Com. Francis Brockell, 11(>
Spiteful, 332, 333, 440, 443, 444, 472
Spitfire, 406, 440, 447, 448, 453 ii.*, 471,
473, 50.)
Spithead, Review at, 503
Sirttzberijen, 514
Spratt, Capt. Thomas Abel Breniage, 40G,
440, 447, 448, 471, 537
Spratt, Lieut. William, 373
Sprent, Master .lames, 288
Sprightly, 504
Spring Gardens, Offices of Xaval Depart-
ments in, 1! 0
Sproule, Assist.-Surg. Robert, 30!)
S|)roull, Assist.-Surg. Charles, 375 n.^
Spry, Lieut. .lohn Touker, 263 and n.'
Stackholme, Lieut. Thomas, 495
Stafford, Augustus (Sec. of the Adm.), 185
Stat/, 271
Staines, Commod. Sir Thomas, 2G1
Stanchio Island, 3G1
Stanley, Coin. Edward, 275, 348, 349
Stanley, Capt. Owen, 517, 521, 523
Stanley, Cajrt. William Pearce, 3tJG
Stapyltcin, Maj.-Geid. the Hun. Granville
Anson Chetwvud, 186
Star, 129 n.'', 364
Starling, 288, 297, 298 ti.', 300, 301, 478
and n.', 494, 522
Starr (U.M.), Lieut. Edward Henderson,
468
Statira, 98
Stead, Mr., 291
Steam, Introduction nf, 194, 195
Steam-boats used in Congo exploration,
183 n.'
Steam frigates, 196
Steam Maehinerj^ Controller of, 188
Steam Machine' y. Inspector of, 188
Steamers, Use ot', in Packet Service, 208 n.'
Steel, U., 209
Stephens (K.M.), Lieut. Atholstan, 145 n.
Stephens, Master John, 40 n.
Stevens, Lieut. Charles Kdward, 444
Stevens (P.M.), Capt. Cornelius James, 260
Stevens, Boatswain Willi.im, 80, 82
Steward, Mr., 328
Stewart, Cajit. Charles (U.S.N. X 169, 171,
172
Stewart, .\dnural of the Fleet Sir Houston,
188, 225, 312, 323, 4.53 n.*,458, 466,471,
473, 548
Stewart, I.ieut. Keith, 478 and n.-
Stewart, Com. the Hon. Keith (2), 305
Stewart, Lieut. Robert Arthur, 279 and n.'
Stewart, Capt. William Houston, 315, 4.16,
440, 444, 467, 478, 494
Stewart, Capt. (IT.S.N.), 98
Stiles, R.-Ad., 540
Stiloe, Miss, 218
Stirling, Com. Frederick Henry, 475
Stirling, Admiral Sir Janie.s (1), 220, 388,
475 u.\ 548
Sto idart, Lieut. James, 302
Stoddart, R.-Ad. Pringle, 545
Stokes, Capt. Jolm Lort, 520, 521
Stokes, Com. Pringle, 519
Stokoe, Lieut. Thomas, 124
Stoll, Lieut. John Lake Richard, 306
Stone River, 97
Stopford, Com. James John, 312
Stopford, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Montagu,
187, 188, 440, 443, 4(56, 548
Stopford, Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert, 205,
223, 224, 309-313, 315, 317-319, 321,
322
Stopford, Com. Robert Fanshawe, 312, 322,
fOo
Storekeei)er-General, 186 and ii.', 189
Storholm, 485
Stork, 478 and n.', 494, 499
Story, Com. Henry Alexander, 478, 485,
486, 490
Story, Mids. , 487
Straaten, Capt. J. A. van <Ier (Dutcli), 227
Strachan, Sir Ricliard, 213 n."
Straits Settlements, 324
Strange, Com. James Newburgh, 393
Stransham, Genl. Sir Anthony Blaxland,
290 and n.-
Streletska (Arrow) Bay, 468
Stridoile, 462, 471
Strode, Com. Augustus C'hctham, 464, 465
Strode, .\dndral Sir Edward Chctham, 545
Slromhuli, 312, 316, 320, 453 n.', 456, 472,
473
Stuart, R.-Ad. Lord George, 171, 543
Stuart, R.-Ad. Henry, 541
Studdert, Com. .lohn Fitzgerald, 248
Stupart, Lieut. Robert Dougl.as, 364
Sturgeon (II.M.), Lieut. Philip James, 260
Sturgess, Sec. Master Richard, 384
Styx, 388, 519
<S'«ect's.s', 505
Suckling, Com. William Benjamin, 504
S\ilfodee, 332, 333
Suffreii, 440
Suleiman Pasha, 311 and n., 317
Sitliiia, 426, 462
Sulina River, 405
Sulivan, Admiral Sir Barthulomew James,
220, 337-3,39, 342. 4 Hi, 418, 419, 420,
] 422, 466, 467, 478, 488, 489, 493. 498,
530, 5.37; quoted, 418-120, 479. 488,
' 497 n.' ; cile.l. 500
Sulivan. Lieut, (ieorge Lydinrd, 4(!1 and n
Sulivan, Com. Thomas Ball, 111 n.^ ll8n
Sullivan, Master's Assl. (Jliarles, 481
I Sullivan, .\dmiral Sir ("liarlos, 517
Sullivan, BiiatHwain's Male Jc4iii, 215
588
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Sulphur, 288, 280 n.", 290, 292, 522
Sumatra, 326
Summers, Mr., (Missionary), 353
Sunda Straits, 176
Superb, 227, 228, 230
Superintendent of Transports, 186
Superior, 116 n.'
Superior, Lake, 109
Supper hour, 219
Surgeons, Rank of, 210
SurJy, 478 acd n.'
Surveyor, 97
Surveyor of the Navy, 186 and n.', 189
Surveys and Explorations, 181-183, £07-
537
Susquehanna, 388
Susquehanna River, 92
Sussex, Duke of, 219
Sutton, R.-Ad. Samuel, 539
Suwarrah, 246
Svarto, 493, 496
Sviiikiu, Cajit. (Russian), 256
Swallow, 451, 453 n.*, 454, 459-461
Swan River, 520
Sweaborg, 414 and n.', 420, 425, 426, 475,
478 nn. ', ^ 482, 488, 491, 492
Sweden, 425
Swilly, Lougli, 517
Swinger, 237, 478
Sydenham, Lord, 185
Sykes, Admiral John (1), 544
Sykes, Lieut. John (2), 31 u?
Svmonds, Capt. Thomas JIatthew Charles,
■ 305, 398 n., 402, 440, 466
Svmonds, Capt. Sir William, 186, 191-193,
199, 276
Symous, Mids. Henr}', 150 n.'
Syren, 25
Syria, 30S-323
Syriam, 245; River, 241
Table Bay, 518
Tactics, 47, 52
Taganrog, 457, 461
Tape, 419
Taislian, 297
Tait, l;.-Ad. James Haldauc, 545
Tait, Capt. Robert, 271
Tal.avera, 271, 505
Talliot, Admiral Sir Charles, 330, 331, 549
Talbot, Admiral the Hon Sir John, 538
Talhot, 254, 256, 258, 269, 262, 312, 318 n.,
319-321 n.', 536
Taman, 462
Tiimar, 260
Tamatave, 345, 518
Tauipassuk River, 334
Tarinski Bay, 430
Tarleton, Capt. John Walter, 372, 377-379
and n.-, 382, 381
Tartar, 478, 499
Tartars, 297, 298, 301, 302
Tartarus, 164, 165, 199
Tatham, Com. Edward, 408
Tatnall, Lieut. James Barnwell, 150
Tatnall, Lieut. Robert Cooper, 496
Tatnall, Mids. (U.S.N.), 93
Taupe, 349
Tavoy, 241, 243, 249
Tay, 504
T'ayler, Capt. Joseph Keedhnm, 203
Taylor, Act.-Gunner G., 478 and n.-
Taylor, Com. John (1), 53, 56 n.-
Taylor, Genl. (U.S.), 94
Te Rauperaha, 349
Teazer, 367, 369, 370, 394
Tees, 242, 247, 250
Teignmouth, 243, 244
Telegraph, 504
Temple, V.-Ad. Francis, 543
Temple, Lieut. Henry, 394
Temriouk, 458, 462 '
Tenasserim, 241, 243, 247, 249
Tenasseriin, 288, 299 n., 300, 372, 373, 375,
376
Tenedos, 167-169
Tennessee, 8
Terdre, Act.-Boatswain J., 478 and n.-
Ternate, 233
Terrible, 195, 400, 401, 40G, 408, 43:i, 440,
444, 445, 453 n.*, 472 n.
Terror, 198, 505, 516, 517, 525, 527
Teverminne, 417
Thais, 505
'Ihalia, 276
Than-ta-baiu, 242, 245
Tharrawaddy, 371
Therapia, 396
Thetis, 203, 220 and n.-, 237, 394, 505
Thetis, 213 n.^
Thingang, 247
" Thirtv Years from Home"' cited, 43 and n.'
Thistle, 478 and n.', 494
Thomas, R.-Ad. Richard, 225
Thomas, Admiral Richard (2), 543
Thomas, Lieut. Robert, 627
Thomas, Com. William Sidney, 279
Thomoud, V.-Ad. Lord James, Marquis of,
540
Thompson, Rt. Hon. Charles Poulet (^Lord
Sydenham), 185
T'hompson, Edward, 481
Thompson, V.-Ad. Norborne, 540
Thompson, V.-Ad. Sir 'J'homas Boulden, 185
Thompson, Com. Thomas Pickering, 351 n.*
Thorns, Boatswain .John, 478 and n.-
Thomson, John Deas (Account.-Geu.), 186
Thontai, 241
Thornbrough, Admiral Sir Edward, 223
Thome, Paymaster Charles Augustus, 445
Thornton, Lieut. Samuel, 238
Thracian, 235
Three Sisters, 361
Thunder, 198
Thunderbolt, 198, 585
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
589
Thunderffi; 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 n., 319,
320
Tkonderoga, 132 n.^, 133 ami n?, 135-138,
140, 14i
Tieni akh, 353, 354, 359
Tiger, 199 aud n.", 200, 400, 403, 404, 50G
Tiger Island, 274
Tigress, 120, 122, 124, 128, 129
Times, quoted, 59, 154, 442
Tinan, l.'.-Ad. Lcbarbier de (Fr.), 398, 399
Tindal, Com. Louis Syinonds, 288, 366
Tinghae, 2S2, 291, 295
Tinling, R.-Ad. Charles, 541
Ti-jiings, 386
Tiraitleuse, 471
Tobacco, 210
'I'obin, R.-Ad. George, 542
Tocsin, 493
Tolbciukin Lighthouse, 420, 499
Tolleniache, V'.-Ad. John Richard Delap
(V.-Ad. John Halliday), 538
Tonilinson, V.-Ad. Nicholas, 511
Tompkins, 115
Tongarron, 326
'I'ongatabu, 323
Tongking, 353
Tonnage, S^'stem of measuring, 25 n., 27,
119, 120
Tonnant, 144 n.-, 149 n.'
Tonnante, 470, 472
Tonneloro, 343, 344
Topaze, 199 n.^ 233
Torche, 493
Tornea, 482
Torpedo, 176
Torpedoes, 483, 484
Torres Strait, 522, 523
Tortoise, 393
Tortosa, 315
Tottenham, Lieut. John Francis, 363
Tottenham, Lieut. William, 32.>
Touchard, Capt. (Fr.), 440
Tougla, Laki', 473
Tourrille, 477 n.
Tower, R.-Ad. John, 543
Townsend, Lieut. Samuel Philip, 463, 464,
471
Townshend, Capt. Lord James Nugent
Boyle Btmards, 32
Townshend, R.-Ad. John, Marquess, 503
Towsen, ("apt. (T.S.N.), 118
Tracey, Mids. Martin, 159
Trade, Damage to — American, 58, 64, 65,
68, 69, 74, 151, 152, 158, 161 ; British,
58-60, 72-74, 152, 153, 177
Trafalgar, 201, 205, 213 n.'
Tra/alf/ar, 409, 440, 444, 445 n.»
Trofi'is Millas, 367
Training, Imixjrtancc of, 178-180
Transit, 503
Transit of Venus expedition, 182
TransiKjrtB, CnutroUcr of, 189
Transjxjrts, Sujx;rintcndcnt of, 186
Traussund, 487
Tranvik Point, 422
Trave, 149 n.'
Travers, Mids. John, 165 n.'
Travis, William S., 97
Treasurer of the Navy, 185
Treaties —
Adriauoijlp, 303
Borneo, 335
Hyderabad, 279
London (1827), 252; (1840), 310
Paris, 503
Unkiar-Skelcssi, 309
Waitangi, 347
Yandaboo, 249, 371
Trebizonii, 399
Treforcas, Cai>e, 360-362
Trchouart, Capt. Francois Thomas (Fr.),
338-341, 343
Trehouarf, 313
Tremlett, V.-Ad. Henry Brown, 543
Trench, R.-Ad. the Hon. William Le Poer,
543
Trent, 507, 503
Trcwavas, Joseph, 215, 459
Tribune, 199, 200, 413, 435, 440, 443,
453 n.*, 471, 472 n., 505
Trident, 256, 419
Trincomahe, 212, 429, 430, 475
Trinidad, Gulf of, 519
Tripoli, 519
TrijJoH, 236
Trippe, 120, 122, 124-126
Triscott, Lieut. Hichaid Shepheard, 251
Tristan d'Acunha, 173
Triton, 440, 443, 444 n.'
Tromhe, 493
Trotter, Capt. Ilomv Dundas, 272, 273,
■ 519
Troubridge, Capt. Edward Norwich, 288,
354, 355
Troubridge, R.-Ad. Sir Edward Thonia«,
197, 545
Truce, Flags of, in Crimean War, 482
Trusty, 198
Tsekee, 296, 297
Tsour, 315
Tsuiigming, 284 and n.
Tucker, Admiral Sir Edward, 545
Tucker, Capt. John Jcrvis, 18r<
Tucker, Com. Thomas Tuilor, 101, 107
Tucker, Capt. William (3), .'iOC and n.'
Tuckcy, Com. James llingsloii, 183 and n.'
Tudor, Lieut. John, 288
Tunis, Pirates of, 231
Turkey: —
Crimean War: see that title
Rebellion in (1821), 251
Syrian Campaign (1840), 308-323
Turnugain, Cajn', ."ill
Turner, Master Charles, .'190
Turner, Mids. Nicholas Ivlwanl I(ri.ok, 350
Tumor, Lieut., 128
590
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
'lurner, ilr., 12.j
Tumour, Lieut. Edward Winterton, 327
Turpin, Com. (Fr.), 256
Tiveed, 212, 218, 210 n.''
Twin, Sergeant (U.S. Mar.), 81
TyCMcktow, 285, 28'J
'Jylden, Lieut. Heury Manby, 34i
Ty loo, 388
Tvmnioon Bav, 388
fyne, 220, 231, 235
Tyre, 315
'J'yrone, 449 n.'
Tysami, 350
Tzeeapo, 355
L''leaboi!(;, 417
Vlloa, 440
Umba, 474
LTrufreville, Com. JoLn Brand, 150
Viiaio, 367
Undop River, 327, 328
Uniacke (R.M.), Lieut. James, 150 n."
Uniform, 210-212
Union, 505
United States : see. America
United States, 25, 26, 30, 41-45, 62
Uukiar-Skelessi, Treaty of, 309
Uruguay, 336 ; River, 337
Ussher, Lieut. Sidney Heury, 275, 364
Ussher, R.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 546
Valmy, 440
Valorous, 413, 416, 417, 420, 424, 448, 450,
451, 453 n.S 471
Valparaiso, 100, 101, 263
Vancouver's Island, 394, 476
Vandalia, 388
Vanquavd, 193, 200, 312, ;!22
Vansittart, C'apt. Edward Westby, 390
Vansittart, V.-Ad. Ilenry, 541
^'ansittart, Ca\A. Nicholas, 333, 478, 480,
482, 486, 489, 494
Varese, Capt. de (Fr.), 440
V argon, 493, 496
Varna, 404-406
Vassall, Com. Si)encer Lambert Hunter,
275
Vaahon, 400,401, 440
Vaughan, Lieut. Henry, 468 and n.'"
Vauglian, Lieut. James AVilliam, 444
Vdoz Pasajero, 269
Veneto, 312
Veiigador, 269
VeiKjeance, 419, 440, 444
Venus, 292, 293
Vera Cruz, 305
Vernon, 192, 193, 200, 212, 271
Vestal, 192, 305, 330, 331, 392, 393
Vesuvius, 312, 320, 403-405, 412 and n.',
437, 440, 449, 453 n.*, 458-463
A'iborg Bay, 480
V if tor, 505
Victor Emmanuel, 199 n.'
Victoria, 370 "
Victoria, (Aust.), 3')5
Victoria, Queen, Review of fleet by, 503
Victoria and AHiert (1) (Osborne), 199
and n.'^
Victoria and Albert (2), 199 and n.", 503
A'ictoria Cross, 214, 215, 221. 323, 420, 446.
449, 450, 456, 457 u.', 459, 487
Victoria Land, 526
Victorious, 213 n.^
Victory, 212, 514-516
Victory, Cape, 529
Victualling, Controller of, 189
Victualling Board, Abolition of, 186 n.'
Vidal, Com. Alexander Thomas Emeric,
518, 548
Vienna Conference, 396-398
ll'/ilant, 504
villa Flor, 267
Ville de Marseille, 440
T7//e de Paris, 409, 440
Villeiieuve, l!.-Ad. Ducrest de (Fr.\ 270
Villiers, Lieut. Arthur Julian, 478 and n.-
Viloce, 450
Violet, 362
Viper, 199 n.", 450, 451, 453 n.*, 472
Viper (U.S.), 25, 57 and n.
Virago, 429, 430
Virginia, 67, 69, 94, 151, 161
Virr/inie, 419
Virta Xemi, Bay of, 499
Visconti, Lieut. Eugene Gustave Francis
Guidoboni, 391
Vixen, 288, 300, 329-331, 349, 350
Vixen (U.S.), 25, 57 and n.
Vladimir, 407, 448
A'odina, 463
Vola'je, 271, 277, 278, 281-283 n.^, 284,
288, 521
Volcano, 367, 369, 478 and n.'
Voula Bay, 523
Vulture, 417, 478 and u.', 481, 493-496
Wade, Lieut. Charles Francis, 327, 328
Wahab, Major, 238, 240
AVailly, Cnpt. AVarnier de (Fr.), 400
AVainwright, Mids. James Francis Ballard,
218 n.'
AA^ainwrigh t, Capt. John, 144 n.-
Wairu, 347
AVaitangi, Treaty of, 347
AVake, JLate Baldwin Arden, 275
Wakefield, Mids. Arthur, 145 d.
AVakeham, Purser Cyrus, 519 n.*
AA'alcott, Capt. John Edward, 235
AValdegrave, The Hon. Granville George
(Lord Radstock), 545
AA'aldegrave, Capt. the Hon. AVilliam (2),
312,^323
AVnles, Cora. Richard AValter, 159, 160
AValtisch Bay, 518
AValker, R.-Ad. Sir Baldwin AVake, 186,
311, 312, 319, 323
IXDEX TO VOLUME VT.
.V.tl
^Valkel■, fjieut. Pouglas, 3(50 anil u."
Walker, Lieut. Henry (1), -JSO
Walker, K.-Ad. James (2), 539
Walker, Micliael, 514
Walker (U.M.), Lieut.-Col. William, 31 ! u.',
315, 322,323
Walker, C'ai)e, 534
Wall, Act. Master A. P., 288
Wallace, Act. Gunner Henry, 478 ami n.'
Wallace, Lieut. James, 2(>G aud n.'
AVallase (I.X.), Capt., 335
Walling, Ass.ist.-Surg. Michael, 369
WalHs, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Provo
W^illiam Parry, 83 aud n.', 305, 548
Walpol'', Com. William, 234
Walpole, V.-Ad. William (2), 548
Walton, K.-Ad. Jacob, 542
W.inderer, 288, 306, 326, 448
Wanganui, .349
Wangtong Island, 232
Wangtung, 289, 291, 295 ; Fort, 273
Ward, Henry G. (Sec. of the Adm.), 185
W ard. Com. James Hamilton, 312
Ward, Lieut. John (4), 490
Ward, R.-Ad. William (1), 54G
Warden, Cai>t. I'rederick, 188, 312, 413,
478, 485, 490
Warden, Act. Master William, 284,288
Wardenburg, Capt. J. F. C. (Dutch), 227
Warrant Uflicers, Itank of, 210
Warree, 393
Warren, V.-Ad. Frederick, 187, 541
Warren, Admiral Sir John Borlase, 70, 92-
94, 99 n.
Warren, Sec. M;ister Kiohard Henry, 342
Warren, Capt. Kichard Laird, 415, 478
AVarren, K.-Ad. Sir Samuel (2), 542
Warren, Capt. William, 272, 281, 288, 304
Warrington, Capt. Lewis (U.S.N.), 159-lGl,
176
11 «»-s/)(7f, 248
War-steamers, 170
Wasa, 4h2, 490
Wasey, Lieut. Edward Frodsham Noel K.,
361, 366
W'ashin^tou, (i(;, 93, 113-147, 153
Washington, George, 7
Washington, Capt. John, 188
ll'a.s;!, 211 and n.', 312, 314, 316, 318 n.,
319, 320, 364, 446
Wasp (U.S.), 25, 27, 31-41, 158, 159, 161-
166
Water eitch, 366-369
Watkius, Mr., 356
Watson, Cajil. liundle IJurgcs, 288, 301,
302 and n.^ :i01, 413, 420, 427, 478
Watson, Lieut. William llenrv (U.S.N.),
87
Watt, Lieut. George Tliotniis L., 81, 82
Watts, K.-Ad. George Edward, 547
Watts, Isaac (Chief (,'onstructor), 186
WauclioiK!, Admiral Itobert, 547
Wtazd, 478 and n.', 494
Webb, Lieut. Alexander, 344 n.
Webb, Lieut. William Henry, 341
Webb, Master's Asst. , 344 and n.
Weblev, K.-Ad. William Henry (W. II. W.
Parry), 542
Weddell, (Master in Mercht Serv.),525
Welleslev, Capt. George Greville, 478, 494,
496, 497, 500
Wellesht/, 279, 282 n.», 283 and nn., 285,
288-290, 294
Wellington, Duke of, 64. 141 and n.', 184 n.
Wellington Channel, 510, 527, 534, 535
Wells, Lieut. Eudo, 329
Wemyss, Coin. Charles (2), 504
Wemyss, K.-Ad. James Erskine, 547
Wemyss (H.M.A.), Capt. John Maurice,
479 and n.', 493
W^erolax Bay, 486
Wescr, 459, 460, 462, 463
West, Sec. Master Alfred O., 385, 386
West, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John, 224,
538
West Indies, 57, 58, 60, 153, 268, 277, 521 ;
Station, 273, 305, 306
Westphal, Lieut. Philip, 96
Whaling trade, 100, 108, 517
Whamiwa, 232, 287, 290, 354
W^harton, Capt. Sir William James Lloyd,
537
Wheatley, Lieut. John, 251
Whinyates, Com. Thomas, 38, 40 and n., 41
White, Mids. George (la), 234
W'hite, Lieut. John (2), 504
W'hite, V.-Ad. Sir John Chambers, 205,
224, 329, 540
White, Com. Kichard Dunning, 478, 488,
489
White House Spit, 463
W'hite Pagoda, 380 and n.»
White Sea, 428, 429, 474
Whitehall, Ollices of Xaval Dciiartments in,
190
Wliilivg, 504
Whitshed, Sir James Hawkins, 223
Whvdah, ;'.05
Whylock (P.M.), Capt. James, 316
Wickham, Lieut. John Ch-ments, 519. 520
Willows, Pensions to, 206
Wight, ^■.-Ad. John, 542
II'i7/k')/<-;vt, 519 n.-'
Wilde,' Lieut. Sydenham, 219 and ii.^
Wililman, Mate Leveson, 424 n.'
Wilkinson, Com. James, 238, 247, 266, 2ti7
Wilkinson, liombnidier Thomas, 215
Wilkinson, Geid. (U.S.), Ill
Willco.\, Lieut. James, 330, 357, 358, 360
and n.', 385, 386, 413, 418, 468 and n.',
472, 501)
William IV., KinK,2ll. 270, 271
William Henry, ILK. II. Prince, 184
WtUlam, 4M n.", 52 n.'
Williams, (41)11. Charles Hainlyn, 505
Williams, Lieut. George Bell, 367
592
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
Williams, Hamilton, quoted, 454
AVilliams (I!.M.), Lieut. John William Coll-
mau, 370
AVilliams, R.-Ad. Kobert (1), 539
Williams, Admiral Sir Thomas, 223
AVilliams, Com. W.iodford John, 312, 31G
AVillie, Mate William C, 51!) n.*
AVilloughby, R.-Ad. Sir Nishet Jnsiah, 546
AA^illoughbv, Admiral Sir I'homas Lake,
538
AVillson (B.M.), Capt. James, 230
VVilmot, Capt. Arthur Parry Eardlev, 212,
367, 440
Wilmshurst, Lieut. Arthur, 3G3
VA'ilson, Com. Eduuiud, 365
AVilson, Lieut. John (6), 364 and n., 365
AA'ilson, Capt. Thomas (2), 388
AVilson, Mate William Charles F.ahie, 384
^Vinchpsttr, 379, 384, 388
AViudau, 482, 490
AVinder, Genl. (U.S.), 144
Wingo Sound, 414
AVinsor, George, 241, 242
AVinthrop, Lieut. Hay Erskine Shijilev, 505
AVinthrop, A*.- Ad. Robert, 538
AVintle, Lieut. Frederick Boughton, 40 n.
AA'ise, Lieut. Charles Arthur, 417, 478
and n?
AA'ise, R.-Ad. AVilliam Furlong, 227 and n.',
544
Wodehouse, Lieut. Armine, 496
AVodehouse, Gcnl. George, 393
VA^odehouse, A'.-Ad. the Hon. Philip, 188,
538
Wolf, 275, 505
Wolfe, 115
VA'ollaston, A'.- Ad. Charles, 541
AVolley, Capt. Isaac, 188
AA'olsteuholme Sound, 531
Wolverine, .306, 330, 331, 506
VVongmakok, 353
Wood, Rt. Hon. Sir Charles, 185
Wood, Mids. Eselyn, 435
AVood, Lieut. George, 505
Wood, Master James, 505
AA'ood, R.-Ad. Sir James Athol, 539
AVood, Lieut. William Cotterell, 288
AVoodhouse, Assist.-Surg. James, 519 n.*
AA^oolconibe, Lieut. Henry Bedford, 495,
496
AVooldiidge, Mate Samuel Otway, 276
AA'oollcombe, Com. Frederick, 388
AVoolsev, Capt. Melancthon Thomas
(U.S.N.), 111, 116
AVoohvich, 198, 207 and u.'
AVoosung, 298-300
AVormeley, R.-Ad. Ralph Randolph, 547
AA'ormso Island, 488
AV'oronzoff Road, 435
AVorsley, Lieut. Miller, 128, 129 n.^
AVorsley, A^-Ad. Richard, 539
Worth, Com. Henry, 317
AVrangel Land, 530
Wraiioler, 109 n.'", 453 n.\ 454, 460 and n.',
462, 472
Wrecks. See Lossr-s.
Wrey, Lieut, Charles Joseph, 389
AA'right, Lieut. Charles Mavson Moncriefie,
234
Wright, Lieut. Frederick AUj;ustus, 56 n.'
AVyke, Mids. George, 249
Wynniatt, Lieut. Robert James, 496
Wyvill, R.-Ad. Christopher, 187, 188, 549
YASD.\noo, Treaty of, 249, 371
Yang, Comndssioner, 290, 297
Vangkingpang, 387
Yangt-sekiang, 386: River, 298-301
Yarnall, Lieut. (U.S.N.), 125
Ydthunah-gee-mhon, 372 and n.,^ 373
Yeh, 243
Yellala Rapids, 183
Yelverton, Capt, Hastings Reginald, 413,
417, 418, 466, 478, 486-488 ; quoted, 489
Yenikale, 454
Yeo (Lake Clntario), 134
Yeo, Capt. Sir James Lucas, 57 n., 112-117,
141 n.2
Yeocomico Creek, 96
Yeu, 249
Yezekcyeel, 256
York (Ontario), 112, 113, 146: River, 97;
Bay, 115
Young, Mate Charles Henry, 330
Young, Com. Sir George (5), 271
Young, Lieut. Robert Benjamin, 213 n.*
Young, Master's Mate AVilliam, 88
Young, Y.-M. (2), 542
Toung Hebe, 283 n.', 288, 522
Youm/ Quee7i, 326
Youngyoun, 246
Yule, (;om. Charles Bamford, 523
Yule (R.M.A.), George, 371
Yuyao, 296
Zaxte, 253
Zanzibar, 518
Zaragozana, 235
Zebra, 262, 312, 315, 322, 505
Zelee, 345
Zenobia, 379
Zenobie, 419
Ziervogi-1, Capt. Petrus (Dutch), 227
Zululand, 308
LONDON : PitlNTED BT WILLIAM rix>WK5 AND SONS
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